Huddersfield boosted by return of Chris Hill for Salford trip
England World Cup hopeful Chris Hill will return for Huddersfield’s trip to Salford on Saturday afternoon.
The 34-year-old has not played since being forced off the field with a calf injury in their Challenge Cup final defeat to Wigan back in May.
However, the Giants will be without utility backs Will Pryce and Ashton Golding due to suspension and injury respectively.
As for Salford, there’ll be no Dan Sarginson this week due to injury. Scotland international Sam Luckley also drops out.
Greg Burke, Ryan Lannon, Harvey Livett, Rhys Williams, Matty Costello and Tyler Dupree could come in for the Red Devils.
The Channel 4 cameras will be at the AJ Bell Stadium to broadcast Huddersfield coach Ian Watson’s return to Salford on Saturday, 1pm kick-off.
Salford: Brierley, Sio, Watkins, Lafai, Burgess, Croft, Sneyd, Akauola, Ackers, Burke, Wright, Taylor, Lannon, Livett, Atkin, Ormondroyd, Williams, Costello, Cross, Gerrard, Dupree.
Huddersfield: Lolohea, Fages, Hill, Levi, Lawrence, McQueen, Jones, Yates, English, Greenwood, Trout, O’Brien, Wilson, Cudjoe, L Senior, Russell, I Senior, Ashworth, Hewitt, King.
Chris Hill hasn’t heard from England coach Shaun Wane since France test
Chris Hill says he hasn’t spoken to England coach Shaun Wane since last autumn but will never retire from international rugby league.
The veteran Huddersfield prop has been in fine form with the Giants enjoying an impressive start to the season that saw them reach the Challenge Cup semi finals.
Both Huddersfield great Eorl Crabtree and Giants head coach Ian Watson have urged Wane to recall Hill to the England squad, but the 34-year-old says it is not something he is focusing on.
Hill told the Love Rugby League Podcast: “As long as the team is winning I’m not bothered.
“I’ve not spoken to Wane since the French Test at the end of last year.
“He mentioned about me playing but my body wasn’t right, I’d been injecting my sternum for five to six weeks prior.
“I just said to Shaun that if it was New Zealand or Australia it would be a different matter, but for a one-off game – with no disrespect to France – I just wasn’t going to do it.
“Aussies or New Zealand would have been a different kettle of fish, but that was the last time I spoke to him.
”I will never retire from England.
“I remember we had a shirt presentation and Adrian Morley came in years ago. It always stuck with me that he said he’d never retire from international rugby and would always put his hand up.
“I’ll focus on my own game if I’m doing bad. An England recall will take care of itself. I don’t know if it’s a new lease of life, I’m just enjoying my rugby again.
“If selected at the back end of the year we will see. I’m 34, my body needs a rest from eight or nine constant years of internationals so I’ll see.
“But as long as my club form is on point then that is all I can do, but I’ll never retire from internationals.
“There’s a lot of good English talent in the pack. I can mix it with them but if he (Wane) feels like he wants a more youthful team going into the World Cup I fully understand.”
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