Career
He plays at prop forward and is the team captain. In 2015 he became the first British professional player to come out as gay. Hirst began his career as an academy player at Bradford Bulls before joining Hunslet Hawks in 2008.
After a season with the Hawks, Hirst moved to Dewsbury Rams for two seasons and then moved to Batley Bulldogs for the 2012 season.
In 2013 he moved to Featherstone Rovers but returned to Batley, first on loan and then on a permanent move in 2014. Hirst is divorced with two children.
In an interview with the Sunday Mirror in August 2015 he came out as gay, becoming the first British professional rugby league player to do southern