Hull FC prepare to return to action for the first time in just under a month ahead of tonight’s clash with Huddersfield Giants.
The Black & Whites are unbeaten in their last three matches – their last match was indeed against Huddersfield with a depleted FC outfit pulling through to win 17-10.
Ian Watson’s side are without a win since May 23rd when they defeated bottom-of-the-table Leigh Centurions.
Team News
A whole host of players are expected to return to action for Hull tonight. Carlos Tuimavave, Danny Houghton, Josh Bowden, Adam Swift and Jordan Lane all missed the last outing, but they could all make their returns to action at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Hull will still be without a handful of senior stars due to Covid-19 return-to-play protocols, whilst Jake Connor (knee), Josh Griffin (Achilles), Scott Taylor (foot), Masi Matongo (knee) and Jamie Shaul (ACL) remain sidelined through injury.
A series of players remain unavailable for Ian Watson. The Giants head coach has once again named youngster Will Pryce, who scored his first Super League try against Wigan Warriors last week.
Fellow academy players Robson Stevens and Aidan McGowan have also been listed in the Giants squad, whilst Owen Trout is expected to return from a short lay-off.
Nathaniel Peteru and Nathan Peats, both on loan from Leigh, could feature too.
Hull 19-man squad: Tuimavave, Fonua, Sneyd, Houghton, Satae, Savelio, Sao, Johnstone, Lane, Fash, McNamara, Brown, Swift, Bowden, Scott, Ferreira, Vulikijapani, Logan, Burrell
Giants 19-man squad: Golding, McGillvary, Wardle, Yates, Jones, McQueen, Cunningham, Wilson, Cudjoe, Russell, Senior, Trout, Hewitt, Wood, Pryce, Stevens, Peteru, Peats, McGowan
What’s the lowdown on the Giants?
Huddersfield may head into tonight’s game with plenty of match fitness given they have played three games since the meeting between Hull and the Giants last month.
But Ian Watson’s side have suffered defeats in all three of those games, meaning they have gone five games without a win.
Despite being hit for 50 by table toppers Catalans at the start of the month, the Giants have battled valiantly in back-to-back meetings with Wigan Warriors, albeit ending up on the wrong side of the scoreboard.
They may be missing a host of key players, including their two starting halfbacks, but the West Yorkshire outfit aren’t likely to throw in the towel any time soon.
Ones To Watch
Hull: Carlos Tuimavave – Hull fans making the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium today will get to see the Black & Whites’ silky centre in action for the first time in well over a month as he prepares to return from a hamstring injury. His metre-eating qualities could prove to be essential for the Airlie Birds tonight, with the former Junior Kiwi more than capable of surpassing 200 metres in a single game. His likely head-to-head battle with young prodigy Jake Wardle should be an interesting one, too. But Tuimavave will be determined to mark his return to action with a strong performance, which could help steer FC to victory.
Giants: Ashton Golding – Able to deputise in a number of roles, Golding is a key component of the Huddersfield squad. He operated in the hooker role when the Giants travelled to the MKM Stadium last month, but with both James Cunningham and Nathan Peats named in Ian Watson’s squad this week, Golding is expected to revert back to the fullback role. The former Leeds Rhinos man is a capable runner of the ball, particularly out of dummy half, whilst his try line defence is strong.
Key Match Details
Where: John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield, UK
When: Thursday 22 July, 7.45pm kick-off
Coverage: Sky Sports Mix
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