How Huddersfield Giants could line up with Jake Connor and Kevin Naiqama among star-studded team.

With the signing of Jake Connor for 2023. Huddersfield Giants now have a very capable squad on their hands as they look to push for silverware.

Connor joins other big name recruits such as Kevin Naiqama and Esan Marsters as the Giants backline faces a complete reshuffle.

With that in mind we take a look at how Huddersfield may line up in 2023 with their newest additions to the squad.

1. Jack Connor

The Giants newest recruit will bring a touch of class to an already strong side. On his day Connor is one of the most electric players in Super League and under the tutelage of Ian Watson will look to find the consistency and temperament which has often held him back.

2. Jermaine McGillivary

A stalwart of this Giants squad, McGillvary will be entering his 13^th and possibly final season with the club as he enters the final year of his contract. As an experience outside back he will be relishing the prospect of playing with a full back like Connor.

3. Kevin Naiqama

Another big name signing for the Giants in 2023. Having spent three very successful years in Super League with St Helens in which he won a Challenge Cup and three consecutive Grand Finals, he returns to the competition after a spell in the NRL with Sydney Roosters. A strong ball carrier who knows where they try line, as his 2021 Grand Final performance highlighted.

4. Esan Marsters

Marsters is another new face to the club for 2023 as he looks to get his career back on track following a difficult couple of years in the NRL. Disappointing spells with the North Queensland Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans will mean Marsters will be keen to prove a point in Super League and could prove to be a handful for all defences he comes up against.

5. Jake Bibby

Bibby is one of four new faces in the Huddersfield backs for 2023 after the completed a move from Wigan Warriors. Bibby spent much of 2022 in the centres for the Warriors but is just as good on the wing. Being part of the Wigan team which beat the Giants in the Challenge Cup final, Bibby will be hoping to bring silverware to his new club.

6. Tui Lolohea

After having arguably his best season in Super League, Lolohea will likely move back to the halves with the arrival of Connor. Although he was instrumental for the Giants at full back last season, Lolohea is an accomplished stand off and plays the position regularly for Tonga.

7. Theo Fages

2022 wasn’t the best season for Fages in his first year as a Giant with his season hampered by injuries and concussions. With a full preseason and a new halves partner look for the scrum half to get back to the form which saw him win multiple titles with St Helens.

8. Chris Hill

A Super League legend who has been revitalised since joining the Giants last season. One of the most consistent props the competition has seen, Hill brought leadership to this Huddersfield side and after being on the wrong side of Grand Finals he will be looking to correct that in 2023 with the Giants.

9. Nathan Peats

With Danny Levi returning to Australia on compassionate grounds, Huddersfield are now shy of a hooker who can guide them around the park.  Nathan Peats could be the man for the job, after relegation with Toulouse in 2022 a return to Super League would make sense for the 32-year-old. A return to the Giants doesn’t seem to be out of the question.

10. Oliver Wilson

An exciting young prop who has just signed a four year deal with the club. Having already played in some big games such as the Challenge Cup final and with Chris Hill as a mentor, Wilson could become one of the best props in Super League in years to come.

11. Josh Jones

Having made over 230 Super League Appearances across four separate clubs, Jones is as reliable as they come in the back row. A solid player who gets through a lot of tough work, he will need to be strong in defence to help his new centre partner Marsters adapt to Super League.

12. Chris McQueen

Huddersfields top try scorer in 2022 had an excellent season rewarded with an inclusion in the Dream Team as he cemented himself as one of the competitions elite back rowers. A forward with a key eye for the try line, McQueen looks to be another player who will be a beneficiary of Connor’s arrival.

13. Luke Yates

One of the best loose forwards in the competition with his relentless work rate which makes him a tackling monster. An underrated ball playing forward, Yates will be the link man for the Giants as first receiver to get the talented backs involved.

14. Will Pryce

One of best young talents Super League has seen in a number of years will likely have to settle for bench spot in the 2023 season. Pryce who is seemingly destined for the NRL in 2024, will be looking to work his way back into the starting 13 and has a big preseason ahead of him.

15. Harvey Livett

Recently signed from Salford Red Devils, the powerful back row looks to be a solid addition to an already strong Giants pack. After a disappointing season in 2022 which ended in injury, he will be looking to get a good start for his new club.

16. Matty English

Still only 24, English has been a main stay in this Giants side since 2019 and is a big body to bring off the bench against tired middles. English recently represented England Knights and could be a player we see in a Shaun Wane squad in the future.

17. Joe Greenwood

Now an experienced forward in Super League, Greenwood plays his role very well for Huddersfield and will continue to do so in 2023. A no nonsense forward who has been always reliable for Ian Watson.