Hull FC vs Huddersfield Giants
Venue: Emerald Headingley
Kick-off: Sunday 28th March, 12:30pm
Head-to-Head
Last Five Results: Hull FC 18-16 Huddersfield (13/10/20), Huddersfield 12-31 Hull FC (30/08/20), Hull FC 12-22 Huddersfield (30/08/19), Hull FC 2-55 Huddersfield (25/05/19), Huddersfield 8-28 Hull FC (03/03/19)
Preview
Hull will have been delighted to reach the semi-finals last season, despite their on-field struggles, and take on Ian Watson’s Huddersfield at Headingley in their season opener. The Airlie Birds are hoping for a solid start under rookie coach Brett Hodgson who won the Man of Steel award during his one season with the Giants as a player.
Hull FC are able to include marquee signing Josh Reynolds in their 21-man squad with youngsters Cameron Scott and Ben McNamara also named. Jamie Shaul is a long-term absentee whilst Jack Brown and Masi Matongo both suffered injuries earlier this week.
Huddersfield could hand debuts to seven players on Sunday lunchtime with Ricky Leutele, Luke Yates, Joe Greenwood, James Cunningham, Jack Cogger, Josh Jones and Jack Ashowrth all included in Ian Watson’s 21-man squad.
Prediction
This should be an interesting clash with both teams playing under new coaches for the first time and both likely to demand a top-six finish from their respective squads. I fancy the Giants to win this one having recruited well and with Watson having more Super League experience as a coach than Brett Hodgson, but Hull shouldn’t be written off and are more than capable of taking the two points.
