Ian Watson makes bold halfback decision as star seemingly dropped as another curious change is made

Ian Watson has kept most of his 17 the same after a shock defeat to Castleford last week but there are two surprise changes.

One of them comes courtesy of Theo Fages’ return which is not a shock itself with the Frenchman Huddersfield main signing over the off season and key to what Watson is trying to do at Huddersfield.

However, who he replaces is a surprise as he takes the spot of exciting youngster Will Pryce. Regarded by many as the best young halfback in the game and touted for a huge move to the NRL, it is surprising that he is dropped with Fages’ return and not Olly Russell.

However, Russell has been exceptional all season and certainly deserves his place in the 17.

Pryce doesn’t even feature on the bench where you might expect his exhilarating quality to be useful as Salford’s defence tires. Instead Ash Golding keeps his spot amongst the subs.

Thus, Pryce won’t be able to recapture the magic of his try at St James’ Park last year.

Elsewhere Sam Hewitt replaces Josh Jones in another curious change with no concrete reason behind it that we know yet.

Both Jones and Pryce were named in the 21-man squad yet neither play. Watson earlier this week mentioned “niggles” in his squad thus it is possible that both are suffering with knocks.

The team in full is:

🚨 Your Magic Weekend side to take on the Salford Red Devils!

🔃 Hewitt in for Jones and Theo Fages returns! pic.twitter.com/glPBPVmc9W

— Huddersfield Giants 🐮🔔 (@Giantsrl) July 10, 2022