Get the lowdown on Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants as they prepare to go head-to-head in tomorrow’s Betfred Super League Round 1 clash at Emerald Headingley Stadium.
All eyes will be on this match as both sides enter a fresh era with new coaches at the helm.
Former New South Wales player and 2009 Steve Prescott Man of Steel Brett Hodgson will face off with opposite number Ian Watson, who also takes charge of his first competitive fixture at new club Huddersfield tomorrow, having impressed at former outfit Salford.
Team News
Both of these sides are at complete opposite ends of the recruitment scale. Whilst Hull have brought in the experienced, playmaking halfback Josh Reynolds, the Giants added nine new players to their roster during the off-season, with three of them playing under Watson at an earlier stage in their career.
Reynolds and most of Huddersfield’s new recruits will make their Super League debuts tomorrow.
The Black & Whites will be without long-term absentee Jamie Shaul (ACL), plus Masi Matongo and Jack Brown, who both sustained injuries sustained in the build up to this game.
Huddersfield are also without three first team players; Ashton Golding, Michael Lawrence and Joe Wardle are the trio who won’t travel to Emerald Headingley Stadium.
Hull 21-man squad: Connor, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Fonua, Reynolds, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Satae, Savelio, Ma’u, Sao, Johnstone, Cator, Lane, Fash, McNamara, Swift, Bowden, Scott
Giants 21-man squad: McGillvary, Wardle, Leutele, McIntosh, Gaskell, Sezer, Yates, O’Brien, Edwards, Jones, English, Greenwood, Cogger, McQueen, Ashworth, Cunningham, Wilson, Cudjoe, Gavet, Russell, Trout
The lowdown on the Giants
With nine players coming through the front door at the John Smith’s Stadium, it’s difficult to predict what to expect from this new-look Huddersfield side.
But what you can expect, is a resilient, gritty, determined attitude from this group of players, characteristics typical of Watson’s Salford side from the last few sides.
That Salford team made the Grand Final and Challenge Cup Final in back-to-back years, despite having one of the cheapest squads in the top flight.
Watson will be looking to emulate that kind of form to get his reign of the Giants off to a flying start, and new recruits Ricky Leutele, Jack Cogger and former Black & White forward Josh Jones will all play a big part in helping them grind out games.
Ones To Watch
Hull: Josh Reynolds – After joining from Wests Tigers after the 2020 campaign, Reynolds made his long-awaited first appearance for Hull in a pre-season friendly against York City Knights just over a fortnight ago, and he certainly did not disappoint. In the 50 minutes he played, the 31-year-old set up a try and played a big part in creating another try earlier in the first half. With his halfback partner Marc Sneyd acting as the general on the park, especially with his role of captaining the side this week, that will allow Reynolds to have the freedom he craves to work his magic.
Giants: Luke Yates – One of Super League’s top tacklers, Yates is almost the epitome of Ian Watson’s philosophy. Not afraid to get stuck in and do the hard work, the Australian forward could prove to be an integral part of this Huddersfield side. He has consistently been one of the league’s top tacklers since his arrival from the NRL in 2019, and he was one of the standout performers for London Broncos in their campaign back in Super League. But it’s clear to see why Watson, who brought him to Salford in 2020, was so keen to take him with him when he moved to West Yorkshire in the off-season.
Key Match Details
Where: Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds, UK
When: Sunday 28 March, 12.30pm kick-off
Coverage: Broadcast live on Sky Sports, as well as the OuRLeague app for members who don’t have access to Sky Sports.
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