Huddersfield Giants will welcome back three players from injury this afternoon in their game against Wigan Warriors.
The Giants, who will today be led by interim boss Andy Kelly and assistant coaches Liam Finn, Leroy Cudjoe and Darren Fleary, welcome back Niall Evalds and Adam Clune to the side for the first time in Super League 2026 following lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Evalds last featured for the Giants in July last year in a defeat to Wakefield, but just two minutes into that tie he felt a problem with his calf, something that would keep him out for the remainder of the season. The former Salford and Hull KR full-back was making a return from injury in that game too, having broke his foot on debut in March against Salford.
Clune featured just six times for Huddersfield in 2025, with those coming in round four, and then a five-game run in rounds 10-14. The half-back was named captain of the side for this season, and when he does take to the field provides strong attacking threat, so the club will be hoping the worst of his injury run is now over.
Also coming into the side is new signing Connor Wrench, who will play his first game of Super League since August. The centre announced his retirement from the sport shortly after that game, but made his return last month, agreeing a three-year deal with the Fartown outfit. Jacob Douglas also makes his first appearance after signing on loan from St Helens.
Opponents Wigan, who host today’s game, will give a home debut to youngster Taylor Kerr after making his Super League debut in victory over Toulouse earlier this month.
Kerr is part of a quartet of players who have made their debut for the club over the past three rounds, joining Noah Hodkinson, Dayon Sambou and Nathan Lowe, who all earned their first senior opportunities over the past few games.
The loose forward will start on the bench in place of Lowe, who got his chance against York Knights last week. Boss Matt Peet remains unchanged barring that, as Hodkinson keeps his place at full-back after a brilliant performance that included a try las time out.
Wigan Warriors starting XIII to face Huddersfield Giants: Noah Hodkinson, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Liam Farrell, Liam Marshall, Jack Farrimond, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters, Kaide Ellis
Bench:Â Patrick Mago, Oliver Partington, Sam Eseh, Taylor Kerr
Huddersfield Giants starting XIII to face Wigan Warriors: Niall Evalds, Tanguy Zenon, Connor Wrench, Jacob Gagai, Jacob Douglas, Tui Lolohea, Adam Clune, Fenton Rogers, Zac Woolford, George King, Asher O’Donnell, Chris Patolo, Tristan Powell
Bench: Taane Milne, Tom Burgess, Kieran Rush, Mathieu Cozza
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