Three players set to make first Huddersfield appearance this weekend

Josh McAllister
Chris Hill Huddersfield

Chris Hill in action for Warrington.

Three players could be set to make their first appearance for Huddersfield this weekend against Dewsbury. 

Ian Watson is expected to take a near full strength side to the Rams on Saturday. It doubles up as Michael Knowles’ testimonial game.

It will be the start of the pre-season schedule for the Giants. They will also take on Batley and Hull KR before their opening Super League match with Toulouse.

Huddersfield boss on weekend’s squad

“If possible I want to give game time to everyone this pre-season,” he told Huddersfield Giants.

“The reality is you simply don’t know who may or may not be available day-to-day as things stand. So I want us to start strongly.

“I know Dewsbury will give it a really good go against us.

“I’ll be aiming to play virtually all our players who will challenge for the opening game in Toulouse which of course is the ultimate focus.

“I’m wary of saying the side is X or Y simply because the past few weeks have shown us that things change daily.

“In an ideal world though you’ll see debuts for Chris Hill, Tui Lolohea, Danny Levi and returns to Giants shirts for Sebastine Ikanihifo and Nathan Mason with Theo Fages being held back probably until the Batley game.

“The squad named have all been full time with us. Whilst most have missed a week here or there for Covid reasons and the odd niggly injury, all are now ready to have their first hit out and are keen to lay their marker down as to what they’re going to bring this year.”

Impressed: Daryl Powell hails Warrington’s desire

New faces at Salford ready for Swinton test

Elsewhere, Salford head coach Paul Rowley has confirmed several new faces will make their first appearance for the club this weekend.

Brodie Croft, Sita Akauola, King Vuniyayawa and Shane Wright are all expected to pull on the Salford shirt this weekend. They host Swinton in their first pre-season fixture.

Tim Lafai looks certain to miss the opening Super League game against Castleford on February 11. The Samoa international is still in Australia awaiting the arrival of his visa.

READ MORE: Lee Radford excited by ‘freakishly athletic’ new signing

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