Early Seniors' service for Huddersfield Giants comes as welcome surprise

The 17-year-old brothers Innes and Louis have shown a maturity that belies their age after suddenly appearing on the Super League scene for their hometown club.

Both wingers made their first-team debut over the holiday period, Innes in the Easter Monday defeat at Catalans Dragons, Louis during the Good Friday draw with champions Leeds Rhinos.

However, with remarkable alacrity, the strapping siblings then lined up together in Sunday’s 40-28 loss against Castleford Tigers, Louis starting on the right wing, Innes over on the left.

Even in defeat Innes captured most of the headlines given he scored a second-half brace of tries, showing two strong finishes as lowly Huddersfield threatened to overhaul a 28-6 interval deficit.

He explained: “I loved it. I just thought when I got the ball I was dangerous in their 10 and I managed to get a couple of tries, which is is always nice. Getting the first I just thought to myself, ‘That’s my first Super League try’.

“It felt great. It’s only my second game so I am really happy.

“It was great to be out there with Louis, too. Obviously throughout the whole of my life I’ve been playing with my brother. I enjoy playing with him.

“Having him on the field betters me; if I see him doing something I want to replicate it.

“We’ve got a competitive environment between ourselves so if we’re both playing well then we’re both pushing each other. We do that in training as well.

“We’re both Huddersfield fans and have been since we were seven so we’ve been watching players like Leroy (Cudjoe), Michael Lawrence and Danny Brough.

“It’s surreal to be playing and training with them now.”

It may be surreal, but it is happening, partly due to the club’s crippling injury list, but also as they are clearly talented players.

Both looked composed and assured against Castleford, but Innes paid tribute to Chris Thorman, the club’s acting head coach, who gave them their bow.

“He’s put a lot of belief in me and my brother and I’d just like to thank him for giving us a chance,” said the teenager from Meltham, who, like Louis, is still on a part-time contract and has spent most of this season training with the Academy Under-19s side.

“I don’t think there’s many coaches that’d throw in young players with no experience.

“But he’s doing that and other players like Sam Hewitt played really well against Leeds, too.

“Our family were all there on Sunday. My mum, dad, aunty and brother and I think some of my mates were in the crowd supporting me as well.

“As a kid they (his parents) were always driving me to training. I would not have been able to push on as I have without them. They’ve been giving me good food, sorting me out. It’s important to have people pushing you around so you stay focused.”

With England winger Jermaine McGillvary still injured and fellow wideman Aaron Murphy operating as a makeshift centre, the twins – who both stand at 6ft 4ins – may get another chance to shine against Salford Red Devils on Sunday.

On playing Super League, Louis admitted: “It is definitely nerve-wracking. I’m used to being one of the bigger players in the Academy and for the first team I am a good 20 kilos lighter than some of the players so it is a huge step up.

“Everyone is much stronger and I just need to get some more size on me. We’re doing weights and trying to eat a lot to get some weight on. The family shopping bill is going up.

“But we are thrilled to get this opportunity together so early. I didn’t expect it at all.

“We’re in the second year at college, but finish in a couple of months’ time and then we’ll be pretty much training all the time, maybe with the first team.

“But I don’t know, we’ll see what happens. At the moment we haven’t signed a first-team contract, but I’m hoping it comes soon for both of us.

“I think they are looking at it. It will be special if it happens.”