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Huddersfield Giants welcome an in-form Leigh Leopards to the John Smith’s tomorrow night as they look to get their hunt for the playoffs back on track.
Prior to the season, the Giants were hotly tipped by many to be fighting for honours this season, but are yet to hit top gear and currently sit in 9th place. Furthermore, Ian Watson’s side come into this game off the back of two back to back loses against Hull FC and Hull KR.
Speaking to the media ahead of the clash, Watson highlighted the need to return to winning ways. He said: “we’ve had two really poor weeks. We were pretty comfortable and pretty happy where we were before those two weeks, but obviously these two weeks have knocked us off the rails so to speak.”
He added: “we want a response and we need a response. It’s not been good enough the last two weeks”.
Last week, their defence was a huge issue as they shipped 28 unanswered points against Hull KR. They will need to sure this up this week especially against the Leopards attack which features this years top try scorer Josh Charnley and top assist maker Lachlan Lam.
The Giants have had an inconsistent start to the season, however they have the quality to get back on track.
Jake Connor, Tui Lolohea and Will Pryce all have the star power to guide the team up the league table, but the form of this combination has epitomised the Giants season.
In team news, Matty English is in line for his 100th appearance for the club as he returns to the squad. Elsewhere in the pack, Chris Hill, Chris McQueen and Luke Yates are all named.
In the backs, Jake Bibby also returns to the matchday squad. Ian Watson has also named Jake Connor, Tui Lolohea and Will Pryce in his 21-man-squad, but has already confirmed to the media that one of the three would miss out. Esan Marsters and Kevin Naiqama also feature in the squad.
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Ian Watson has named his 21-Man Squad, with Jake Bibby and Matty English returning. ⤵️
?️ https://t.co/3E7JhvemXq#CowbellArmy?? pic.twitter.com/VJm6HfNyZl
— Huddersfield Giants ?? (@Giantsrl) May 10, 2023
Will they avenge last weeks humiliation at Craven Park? Or will the Leopards condemn them to a third defeat in a row?
Leigh come to the John Smith’s in good form. Adrian Lam’s side have won three on the spin, including last week’s demolition of Castleford.
Coming into the season, Leigh were hoping to avoid relegation, but now it looks like Adrian Lam’s side could be pushing for the playoffs come the end of the season.
They currently sit in sixth in the table, and have already beaten both of last season’s Grand Finalists in St Helens and Leeds.
The Leopards are playing an exciting brand of rugby this season which is allowing their star studded backline to shine, in particular Josh Charnley. They will need to keep this up tomorrow night if they want to overcome the Giants.
A win in West Yorkshire could really set down a marker for the rest of the league, and firmly set their eyes on the top six.
In team news, the Leopards have picked their 21-man-squad, which sees Ricky Leutele return to the John Smiths Stadium as he faces his former team. He is in line to feature alongside Zak Hardaker in the centres.
In-form hooker Edwin Ipape is included, and looks set to form an exciting spine alongside Lachlan Lam, Gareth O’Brien and Joe Mellor.
Elsewhere, Tom Amone and Robbie Mulhern are named in a strong looking pack for the Leopards.
Adrian Lam has named his twenty-one man squad that will travel to @Giantsrl on Friday night in @SuperLeague Round 12. ?#BeTheRoar pic.twitter.com/PwfWFRWpba
— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) May 10, 2023
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