Enforced absence makes Eorl Crabtree's heart grow fonder for Huddersfield Giants

Eorl Crabtree breaks past the challenge of Adam Walker and Mitch Allgood on Sunday. (Picture: Simon Hulme)

The former England international returned to action against Hull KR on Sunday after five weeks out following groin surgery.

Crabtree, who has amassed more than 400 games for the West Yorkshire club and is rarely injured, duly helped them to a 38-6 win, their first victory of the Super League season.

“I’m absolutely buzzing to be back,” the 33-year-old told The Yorkshire Post.

“I’m serious, too, as when you get to my age, you do lose passion for it all a little.

“But when you’ve been out a few weeks you then realise how much you love it once more.”

He was one of three players fit-again to aid depleted Huddersfield’s cause and see them arrest a four-game losing start to 2016.

“I think the team have needed me back but not just me the other lads, too,” added Crabtree, who had been sidelined since their opening night loss at St Helens last month.

“Kyle Wood was superb and Joe Wardle was brilliant as always while (on-loan Wakefield Trinity full-back) Jordan Tansey was absolutely fantastic on his debut.

“It’s a shame he’s only here for a month; he’s one of those players you might want to keep on for as long as possible. But, personally, it was just good to get back out there and get a win as ultimately that is what we needed.”

Having now moved off the bottom, last season’s Super League semi-finalists will swiftly seek to begin the long road back up the table when they host Catalans Dragons this Sunday.

They still have plenty to work on; Huddersfield had raced into an early 12-0 lead against winless Rovers before being pegged back and only pulled away towards the end. But Crabtree added: “I see that as a positive as it shows a little bit of character as well.

“You are going to be challenged by every team you play against in Super League.

“If we’d have just run away with the game it’d have meant nothing apart from we’ve done okay but we’ve not been tested.

“You need to be tested against every team you play against so you are right for the end of the season. We showed some character in adversity. We pressed on, played better and scored some good tries. Catalans are another challenge. They are always physical and we expect that early doors.They faded against Warrington in the last 15 minutes so will be wanting a reaction.

“But we just need to go back out there, keep playing and have a little bit more composure.”