Huddersfield halfback signs new deal

Huddersfield have confirmed that young scrum-half Oliver Russell has signed a new two-year extension with the club.

The 21-year-old was the Giants’ top point-scorer in 2019 with 79, after spending the season rotating with Lee Gaskell and Matt Frawley in the halves.

He is one of several youngsters to commit their futures to the club recently, following Jake Wardle, Sam Hewitt, Jon Luke Kirby and the Senior twins, Louis and Innes, in signing new deals.

“I think the main reason I’ve resigned is that I’m happy at the club,” Russell told the Giants’ official club website. “I’m growing as a player under the coaching staff and I’m learning from the older players Lee Gaskell and Aidan Sezer which is helping my development.

“There’s also a good bunch of young lads that can do something quite special if we stick together. Obviously seeing that Sam Hewitt, Jake Wardle, Innes Senior, Louis Senior and Jon-Luke Kirby re-sign my made decision so much easier. We had a decent side together at my last year in the Academy and it gives me hope that we can pull that form together in a couple of years.

“I’m aiming to get a starting shirt in the half-backs at the club, while learning from Gaskell and Sezer will help me at the moment, I definitely want to fight for a starting shirt in the next couple of years.”

Huddersfield head coach Simon Woolford added: “Russ is obviously a very important part of our future. In the opportunities he’s had to date, he’s always accounted himself very well.”

“Currently he needs to remain patient, bide his time and learn as much as he can from Seze and Gasky. I know when he get his next opportunity he won’t let anyone down, we have full trust in Ollie and know can get the  job done.”