LADBROKES CHALLENGE CUP PREVIEW | Huddersfield Giants vs Catalans Dragons
In-form Huddersfield and Catalans meet in the first Challenge Cup quarter-final. Here’s everything you need to know…
TEAM NEWS
Huddersfield Giants
Simon Woolford was in the stands to see Huddersfield win 24-16 at Salford last week, a fourth consecutive win in all competitions for the Giants.
He takes full charge for the first time for this Challenge Cup clash, and makes one forced change to the 19-man squad.
Ukuma Ta’ai picked up a knock last Friday and is replaced by Sam Wood, while captain Leroy Cudjoe didn’t feature last week but remains in the squad and will hope for a first appearance of the season.
Huddersfield 19-man squad: Mamo, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Turner, Murphy, Gaskell, Brough, Ikahihifo, Leeming, Hinchcliffe, Rankin, Roberts, Clough, Smith, O’Brien, Mellor, McIntosh, Wood, English.
Catalans Dragons
Catalans coach Steve McNamara has named only an 18-man squad for the trip to Huddersfield, in the hope that new signing Kenny Edwards will be registered in time to appear.
Samisoni Langi returns to the squad after missing the last two matches, while Iain Thornley and Alrix Da Costa drop out.
The Dragons won 33-20 at home to Leeds last Saturday, which took their streak to five wins in the last six in all competitions.
Catalans 18-man squad: Mead, Broughton, Wiliame, Langi, Casty, Moa, Anderson, Garcia, Bird, Bousquet, Simon, McIlorum, Tierney, Jullien, Maria, Gigot, Goudemand, Drinkwater.
HEAD TO HEAD
Catalans won the Super League clash between these two sides earlier in the season, running in 23 unanswered points in the second-half for a 27-6 win at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.
These two sides have met once before in the Challenge Cup, when Huddersfield progressed with a 30-16 home win in the fifth round in 2011.
KEY BATTLE – Jake Mamo v David Mead
These two players have both moved from full-back into the centres in recent weeks, and we are starting to see the better of both of these stars who were tipped to be hugely influential for their respective sides this season.
THE KEY DETAILS
Date: Thursday 31st May
Venue: John Smith’s Stadium
Kick-off: 7:35pm
Referee: Gareth Hewer
WHO WILL WIN?
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