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Why Will Pryce will be absent for Huddersfield Giants in Super League play-off as Ian Watson gives key update on Theo Fages

Huddersfield Giants will go into their Super League play-off against the Salford Red Devils on Saturday afternoon knowing a win would take them to St Helens for a semi-final.

First, however, they will have to overcome one of the brightest sides in Super League in 2022 who have excelled throughout the campaign under new head coach Paul Rowley.

For Huddersfield head coach Ian Watson, he has had to make a tough choice to leave one of his stars out in order to be able to bring back into the field, matchwinner Theo Fages.

That man missing out will be youngster Will Pryce – who had a devastating game against Wakefield Trinity last week – with Watson preferring the duo of Oliver Russell and Fages.

“Olly Russell and Theo will start. It was a tough decision and we need to go back to the start of the year and then the Challenge Cup Final and how well Russell handled those.

“I think Will can handle them but I think Oliver is in the driving seat there. They have had those big game competitions under their belt and there is probably no one as better than Theo in the last few years.”

Watson also gave the all-clear on Fages after a concussion issue in previous weeks.

“Him and Jonny Lomax have ruled the roost consistently in big games. The way they handle big games is huge and Oliver Russell has stepped up in the absence of Theo.

“He passed his HIA at Leeds and it was right about making him right. Our coaching staff really do look after the players and it’s about player welfare first.

“Theo was good last week, he did a bit of training before Wakefield and then after the game so we were confident he would be fine. Theo has been outstanding in training.

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