Chance for Giants to stake claim for place in Origin series

In a major fillip for the club, they will welcome England and the Exiles on Wednesday, July 4, kick-off 7.45pm.

England coach Steve McNamara, who captained Huddersfield back into the top flight during his time there as a player, believes the stadium will bring out the best in his squad, while a host of current Giants could feature.

In-form scrum-half Danny Brough hopes to enhance his chances of a first England appearance when he takes on Leeds Rhinos tonight, while Eorl Crabtree and Leroy Cudjoe are also pressing their claims.

Huddersfield’s Kiwis David Fa’alogo and David Faiumu, meanwhile, were involved in the representative side – which incorporates Super League’s finest overseas talent – in the inaugural game at Headingley last June.

Australian back-row Luke O’Donnell, who cruelly missed out on playing for the Exiles then due to injury, makes his first appearance in seven months this evening and, so, will be aiming to prove his fitness in time.

McNamara said: “There’s a real appetite to be involved in the International Origin Series from every player in Super League and with two fixtures to play I think we will see the intensity reach new heights this summer.”

England and the Exiles – led by ex-Huddersfield captain Brett Hodgson – do battle in the opening game at St Helens, on Saturday, June 16.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield could reclaim top spot in Super League if they win tonight and other results go their way.

With Luke Robinson and Lee Gilmour returning, they may be further bolstered by the inclusion of Fa’alogo whose injury suffered at Hull KR on Sunday is not as bad as first feared.

Captain Kevin Brown, though, is likely to be out for more than a month but they have a perfect replacement at loose forward in the shape of O’Donnell.

It may mean Huddersfield, who have been playing with four pivots since Brown switched from stand-off, have to change some of their attacking policy given O’Donnell is a more traditional bludgeoning type of No 13.

But coach Nathan Brown is simply looking for a better performance after a surprise loss at Craven Park, champions Leeds also keen to respond after losing heavily at St Helens.

“I know we are looking for some improvement and things that we want to get better at,” he said.

“Our commitment wasn’t where it needed to be to beat a good Rovers side last week.

“As for Saints, they played really well and maybe Leeds were a little off the pace but we know they are going to be hard to beat; you don’t win four out of five competitions if you aren’t a good team.

“Any side though, who wants to be a good team must look forward to playing them and we do.”