Huddersfield in a “real good spot” as a team, says forward Ronan Michael

Drew Darbyshire

Huddersfield forward Ronan Michael says there is a “really good environment” at the Giants right now as the club embarks on a new era.

The Giants are preparing for their first season under new coach Ian Watson, who arrived in the off-season from Salford on a three-year deal.

Ireland international Michael says Watson is helping drive the standards of the club ahead of the new Super League campaign.

Michael said: “He’s been class. He’s very hands-on and he knows exactly what he wants and his standards are right up there with the best I’ve ever seen.

“It’s such a good environment at the moment, I just feel like we are in a real good spot as a team.

“I’m loving it at the moment, pre-season has been a huge learning curve for me and its just so good to have that energy and enthusiasm with the coaching and that’s what Watto, GB (Greg Brown) and all the team have brought in so it has been class to see.

“We are in a really good environment and I feel like we are going in the right direction so hopefully we can all bring it and have a good season.

“This pre-season has been a different beast altogether. Watto definitely has high standards for us young lads, there’s no excuses just because you’re young so it has helped my development loads already in the weeks I’ve been here.”

READ: “No-one knew what league was” – Irish prodigy Ronan Michael on spreading rugby league gospel in his hometown

Balbriggan-born Michael made his first team debut for Huddersfield last season, and is eager to taste more Super League action in 2021.

He added: “I’d love to go on and play with the boys again that is something I definitely want to do this season, but I haven’t set myself any numbers.

“If I’m training well and showing myself in training and doing all the things that fans and everyone else don’t notice, then eventually that will all add up and I’ll get myself noticed by Watto and my team-mates will know that I’m ready to go.

“I’m training hard everyday and if everyone else is competing to keep their spot then everyone is going up and we will be winning then if everyone keeps going higher and higher and that’s the way it should be.

“It shouldn’t be easy for a young lad to get in the team in my opinion because it should be competitive because its Super League. It is the dream for so many people so I just want to keep bettering myself and keep showing that I have what it takes.

“When I get my chance I want to take it and hopefully I get more chances this year to play first team.”

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