Just one player banned after Challenge Cup semi-finals

Drew Darbyshire
Josh Jones Huddersfield Giants SWpix

Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

Huddersfield forward Josh Jones is the only player to pick up a suspension following Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-finals.

The Rugby Football League’s match review panel have handed Jones a one-match penalty notice for a Grade B dangerous contact in their 25-4 win over Hull KR at Elland Road on Saturday.

Jones, a Great Britain international in 2019, will miss Thursday’s televised clash with Wigan in Super League.

The 28-year-old will be available for Huddersfield’s home match against Toulouse on Friday, May 20.

Challenge Cup final just the beginning of a legacy, says Huddersfield coach

Huddersfield coach Ian Watson says reaching the Challenge Cup final is just the beginning of their quest to become an established top-four club.

The Giants will face Wigan in the final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 28. Huddersfield last won the Challenge Cup 69 years ago, but Watson believes silverware is not far away for the West Yorkshire club.

He said: “It’s outstanding. I’m made up for the club and for (owner) Ken (Davy) and people who have been here for a long period of time chasing success.

“It’s the first step for us. When I came here we said this is what we wanted to start achieving consistently. To get to our first major final one-and-a-half years in is a big, big positive for us.

“We want to build a legacy, we want to be a top-four club and everything around it set up.

“But we’ve not won anything yet. We’ve got to a major final and the job now is to go on and win it.”

Jermaine McGillvary’s man of the match performance delighted coach Watson.

Watson said: “I think that’s the best game he’s had while I’ve been here.

“He was outstanding and showed what he was about. His finish was an international finish.”

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