Huddersfield Giants boss Luke Robinson is prepared to look to youth this weekend after seeing Danny Richardson recalled by Hull KR.
Richardson joined up with the Giants two weeks ago and after sitting out of the Challenge Cup clash with Hunslet, he made his debut for the club on Sunday against Warrington Wolves. He played his part in what was a tough, gritty performance from Huddersfield, too, with the half-back performing relatively well in defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium.
However, Robinson has confirmed that Richardson has now left the club to return to KR after one game following the completion of his fortnight-long loan. That comes as a blow to the Giants, particularly with Adam Clune still unavailable through injury, but the head coach has an option up his sleeve with George Flanagan considered the frontrunner.
“Danny Richardson has been recalled for Hull KR,” the Huddersfield Giants man told BBC Sport West Yorkshire. “We only had him for a game and I thought he did quite well for us.
“He’s been recalled to his parent club and it’s out of our hands really so it just gives someone else another opportunity to play.
“We’ve a few different stuff we can possibly play around with. We’ve got young George Flanagan who has played a little bit of half for us in the past in the friendlies and he’s done quite well every time he’s come in.
“George is the frontrunner at the moment and he’s shown some really good stuff in pre-season. He’s maturing as a player and getting better and better each week. Sometimes people get opportunities and you have to grab it with both hands.”
Richardson returns to East Yorkshire now and while he won’t be involved this evening when Hull KR take on Wakefield Trinity, he could be part of the squad next Thursday when the club face Salford Red Devils.
Speaking on Monday, after of KR’s clash at Belle Vue, head coach Willie Peters said he was pleased with what he saw from the half-back in claret and gold.
“I think he went OK,” he told Serious About RL. “He was busy which was good and it was good for him to get some confidence. There were some things there that he’ll probably want to keep working on and we want him to keep working on but it was good to see him back playing Super League again.
Asked at the time if there was scope to extend the loan, Peters added: “Possibly, we just need to have a look at where we’re at and then we can make a call. There’s a possibility but we need to make a call.”
