Huddersfield Giants boss Luke Robinson has named his first squad of the year ahead of this weekend’s friendly clash with York Knights.
The Giants will host York at the Accu Stadium on Saturday, January 17, for a game that will act as Matty English’s testimonial contest. It will also provide vital game time for Robinson’s side as they prepare for the start of the Super League season which is now just a month away.
Robinson has named what can be considered to be something close his strongest, fit squad for the match against the Super League new boys and that includes three new signings.
Fans will be keen to see Chris Patolo and Asher O’Donnell in action for the first time with the pair arriving from down under during the off-season. Patolo adds size and some NRL experience to Huddersfield’s pack, with the 24-year-old playing 27 times for Canterbury Bulldogs earlier in his career.
O’Donnell, on the other hand, is a back-rower who has arrived from Queensland Cup outfit Brisbane Tigers and he’ll be keen to impress on his first opportunity to play first grade.
Mathieu Cozza is also included having made the switch from Wakefield Trinity.
Niall Evalds, Adam Clune, Tui Lolohea and Adam Swift are all named after missing the end of last season through injury, while Liam Sutcliffe will be keen to make a positive impression after his injury-hit first year as a Giant.
The clash will be the first of two friendlies for Huddersfield this month with the claret and gold outfit heading to East Yorkshire later this month to face Hull FC and provide the opposition in Brad Fash’s testimonial.
Huddersfield Giants squad to face York Knights
Niall Evalds, Adam Swift, Jacob Gagai, Sam Halsall, Tui Lolohea, Adam Clune, Tristan Powell, Zac Woolford, Tom Burgess, Asher O’Donnell, Sam Hewitt, Fenton Rogers, Matty English, George King, Kieran Rush, Liam Sutcliffe, Mathieu Cozza, George Flanagan, Jack Billington, Chris Patolo, Connor Carr, Marshall Land.
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