A surprise name was included on Huddersfield Giants’ reserve team list this week, and it suggests that a half-back has made a Super League switch.
The Giants faced St Helens in the reserves competition on Saturday, and took a convincing 50-6 win, though Saints’ side was heavily depleted given that most of their B-team was needed in Super League.
A man key to that hefty victory was Oli Leyland, who appears to have departed Warrington Wolves early in order to potentially land a new contract for 2027.
After an ACL injury last year, Leyland hasn’t played under Sam Burgess in 2026, and with his current deal expiring at the end of the campaign, he is said to have landed a trial at Huddersfield.
The move comes at a key time for Jim Lenihan’s side, who are already without half-back Adam Clune, whilst back-up Oliver Russell suffered an Achilles injury last week, meaning his season is over.
Neither Huddersfield nor Warrington have confirmed the move, but it gives Leyland a huge chance to remain in the top flight, should his new club wish to take him on a full-time deal.
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Former Leeds Rhinos man makes loan move away from Huddersfield Giants
Leaving the Giants this week is Liam Sutcliffe, with the former Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC centre aiming to regain some match fitness after failing to make a single appearance in 2026.
Sutcliffe is in his second season at Huddersfield, having joined from Hull FC ahead of the 2025 season; however, the centre has played just five games in almost two years with the Giants.
He’s yet to make an appearance in 2026, with his last appearance of 2025 coming in April when he suffered a groin injury in a loss against Leeds Rhinos. Multiple injuries have plagued him since, but he’s now finally able to return to the field.
Huddersfield have sent Sutcliffe out on a rolling weekly loan to Championship side Halifax Panthers with the veteran tasked with finding some match fitness before potentially earning some game time with the Giants in Super League.
Jim Lenihan had alluded to the fact that Sutcliffe would leave on loan, though he didn’t know where, but a statement from the club ahead of their loss to Wigan Warriors confirmed the news.
Liam Sutcliffe to head out on loan 👇
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— Huddersfield Giants 🐮🔔 (@Giantsrl) July 17, 2026
