Clubs no longer fear Saints, boasts Huddersfield coach

Super league preview: HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS coach Nathan Brown stoked the fire ahead of his side's game with St Helens by claiming teams no longer fear the five-times Super League champions.

Improving Huddersfield, aiming for a fourth successive victory, tackle Saints at the Galpharm Stadium tomorrow looking to prove their own title credentials.

After last season's third-place finish, the Giants are striving to reach their first Grand Final this year with Brown showing their growing confidence by stating previous golden boys Saints no longer intimidate opponents.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"They've just gone though a rough injury patch and have all their good players back now," he said.

"But the days are gone when sides are scared of playing Saints; I think sides look forward to playing them now.

"Obviously Leeds have got a lot of injuries but you can tell by the table – even though it's early days – the competition is getting closer.

"Sides down below are getting better and sides at the top aren't getting worse but, in the past when they lost their best players they just went out and bought the best players.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Now they're having to develop a few more of their own and it's making it harder to maintain where they used to be.

"We come into this game feeling we've got a good chance whereas years gone by it was just a formality Saints were going to win."

Ironically, in light of Brown's comments, it is Huddersfield who have been buying this week and they are set to hand a debut to new signing Danny Brough following the scrum-half's move from Wakefield.

Both sides have won five games so far but Saints – who have lost the last three Grand Finals – have been stunned by Sia Soliola's season-ending injury while the hosts are without Kiwi back-rower David Fa'alogo after he was injured in the 32-18 win against Harlequins.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hull could hand a debut to 17-year-old Reece Lyne this evening, a winger who has been in prolific form for the club's Under-20s this season.

Mark Calderwood (hamstring) is out of their fixture at struggling Salford and, after his first call-up, England Academy flier Lyne is now vying with recalled Craig Hall for a shot.

Hull coach Richard Agar is again without Richard Horne (ribs) but Sam Moa could get a rare opportunity to impress as the Airlie Birds bid to continue their recent form.

Salford have just one win so far but Agar said: "Under-estimate anyone at your peril.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I am not going to say Salford are in great form but they have shown some decent performances – close in the matches with Bradford and Leeds – and got a win a couple of weeks ago.

"At their home ground, in front of a TV audience, they will have enough reasons to put things right."

Hull KR are in France to take on Catalans Dragons with coach Justin Morgan deciding to rest young prop Liam Watts.

Second-rower Matt Cook is recalled after a three-match absence, with Rhys Lovegrove set to switch to the front row.

Catalans are boosted by the return of goalkicking half-back Thomas Bosc.