Giants academy duo get Super League deals

Huddersfield academy duo Liam Johnson and Tyler Dickinson signed their first Super League contracts during the half-time interval of the Giants’ win over Wigan last night.

Second-rower Johnson, 17, came through the ranks at community club Newsome Panthers, and is a former England Youth captain, while front-rower Dickinson is currently in the England Academy squad, and featured in the recent 34-30 victory over France.

Giants coach Paul Anderson said: “The real simple analogy to use is that they are very, very good young players and we need to keep producing our own stars and give them pathways into the first grade squad. They aren’t coming just to make the numbers up, they’re coming because they are good quality players.

“Liam Johnson was Scholarship England Captain last year and Tyler has just played for his country as well. Both players did full time pre-season and we are excited about them coming through the production system we have in place.

“We are active in the production area now as we don’t want to have to keep bringing in players. We have got to make sure the Club as a whole, for years to come, is producing players in a tight market. In essence both Liam and Tyler are local juniors that have come all the way through our scholarships.”