Huddersfield Giants are hoping for an improved start to the 2026 campaign, after their start to 2025 largely dictated what was an underwhelming season.
Winning just one match from the first 14 rounds of Super League, the Giants battled with Salford Red Devils at the foot of the table, and whilst injuries certainly played their part in the club’s performances, it was a huge fall from the club’s third place finish just three seasons prior.
Whilst recruitment hasn’t been as vigorous as some of the other clubs, with Huddersfield opting to bring in just five players this off-season, their squad will have a number of key changes.
Luke Robinson will hope the new arrivals will add both talent to the squad and strength in depth, but his main focus this year will be to keep his best players on the field as often as possible.
With that in mind, here is how Huddersfield Giants could line-up in their opening Super League game, as they travel to Catalans Dragons in the first week of February.
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How Huddersfield Giants could line up in 2026
Full-back: Niall Evalds
This pick is harsh on George Flanagan Jr, who has a breakout season in Claret and Gold in 2025. However, Evalds, who has joined the club on a permanent deal, is still a quality full-back, he was just plagued with injuries across the whole of last season.
The number one spot is one position the Giants are strongest in, and if Evalds does find himself out of the side, Flanagan Jr is a more than capable replacement.
Wingers: Adam Swift and Jacob Gagai
Swift, on his day, is a top finisher in the league, but like Evalds his injury record has limited him, particularly in his Giants career. In 17 matches, he scored 10 tries, however only one of those appearances came from August onwards, as he was ruled out with a groin injury for the remainder of the year.
Gagai, who was given the number three jersey ahead of the new season, could be the man to partner Swift on the opposite flank. Sam Halsall has the five jersey, but Gagai’s experience in the NRL, and the fact he scored more tries than him as a winger across the year could suggest that he moves to the flank permanently.
Centres: Liam Sutcliffe and Taane Milne
Signing from Hull FC, Sutcliffe only featured for Huddersfield five times, before he was ruled out for the season in April. A versatile player, he seems to have found his position at centre, and if he is fit for the season opener, could return to the fold after 10 months.
Milne is capable of playing in the back row or centre, and the squad numbers suggest it will be the latter in 2026. A 17-time international with Fiji, the 30-year-old will be hoping for a strong campaign so that he can add to that tally at the World Cup at the end of the year.
Halves: Tui Lolohea and Adam Clune
The Giants have plenty of options in the halves, but it looks as though Lolohea and Clune will be the ones getting the first chance to perform. Lolohea, who can also play full-back featured 16 times in 2025, and whilst that is just over half of their games, it is more than Clune, who managed just six.
Both players need to stay injury-free, and if they do it will go a long way to Huddersfield’s consistency and stability. Should either one be ruled out, the club have Oliver Russell, Kieran Rush and Flanagan Jr as depth options, whilst youngster Marshall Land is highly thought of at the club, too.
Props: Tristan Powell and Thomas Burgess
Signing in May from the NRL, Powell’s arrival instantly improved the Giants’ pack, and since arriving featured in every game. His form has been rewarded, and after being handed a starting jersey, is expected to kick on after a full pre-season under Robinson.
Oliver Wilson’s departure means that another forward will have to step up, and veteran Burgess needs to be that man. He featured primarily from the bench last season, and he will have to lead from the front and show the form that earned him the 40 international caps in his career.
Hooker: Zac Woolford
One of Huddersfield’s shining lights in 2025, Woolford became a key player in the side, with his form in the early season earning him a new contract. With Ashton Golding leaving the club, it leaves the former Canberra man as their only recognised nine, so Robinson will be hoping he can stay injury-free across the season.
Back Row: Asher O’Donnell and Sam Hewitt
New signing O’Donnell will be hoping to have the same impact as brother Kai did when he joined Super League. The former Queensland Cup star has come over here at a young age, and will be hoping to prove himself in the UK top flight. With English heritage in his blood, a strong season could even see him called up for England at the end of the campaign.
Hewitt’s season ended with a broken jaw in July, but he will be back and ready to go for the Catalans opener. The club also have Joe Greenwood and Jack Billington in reserve, so the depth is there if either one of the two starters pick up a knock.
Loose forward: Harry Rushton
Named vice-captain of the side, Rushton is a consistent middle who can also play in the back row. He will have huge shoes to fill as he replaces legend Leroy Cudjoe in the role, but the 24-year-old is more than capable, with his new leadership role for 2026 highlighting that the club’s coaches have faith in him to succeed.
Bench: Oliver Russell, Matty English, Chris Patolo, Mathieu Cozza
