Fielden is convinced Giants can challenge at the top

Whether it be those famous running battles with Barrie McDermott, incurring the wrath of the South Standers or generally just being a nuisance to Leeds Rhinos sides down the years, the combative prop tends to relish every such occasion.

When he has been forced to sit twiddling his thumbs for a week beforehand, it only heightens his sense of anticipation for facing his old enemy.

The scene of so many epic encounters when wearing Bradford Bulls’ colours during their halcyon days, Fielden is back in the Huddersfield Giants’ side as they prepare to face the champions there tomorrow night.

The ex-Great Britain international was ‘rested’ when Huddersfield – the current Super League leaders – lost their 100 per cent record in Sunday’s unexpected 43-18 home loss against Bradford and his return should augment the West Yorkshire club no end.

The absence was part of coach Paul Anderson’s carefully planned management of the veteran forward mindful that, though encouragingly featuring in all of their opening four wins, he has not had a sustained run for some time given his injury-plagued final two years with Wigan Warriors.

Fielden, 33, told the Yorkshire Post: “I never want to miss games but, firstly, I didn’t have a choice and, secondly, it’s a smart thing to do from the boss.

“I knew a long time ago I wouldn’t be playing against Bradford. He’s got a certain plan for me which I was aware of at the beginning of the season so I knew it was coming. But now I can’t wait for Leeds. There’s nothing better than the big games and playing the champions in their own backyard – especially after a disappointing loss like last week – is absolutely massive.

“I’ve always loved going to Headingley. It’s not on TV either so it’ll be an even bigger crowd than normal.”

One of the intriguing contests will be between Fielden and Jamie Peacock, the stalwart Leeds Rhinos prop with whom he won three Super League titles in their time together at Bradford.

At 35, Peacock is two years his senior but, given recent performances in the World Club Challenge and last week’s win at St Helens, is looking more commanding than ever for Brian McDermott’s side, another ex-Odsal comrade.

“JP’s playing very, very well and Mac seems to be relying on him a lot,” said Fielden. “He’s playing a lot of minutes and he doesn’t want to take him off.

“He’s probably their best go-forward player at the moment and good on him. JP’s 35 but it seems to suit him. He is definitely going well but Leeds have a lot of good players who we need to stop.

“Hopefully, if we perform like we can, they’ll be worrying about us though.”

The promising aspect for Huddersfield fans starved of success is, despite their early lofty position, Fielden concedes they are still far from reaching their full potential.

“We haven’t got near what we did in that first game at Saints,”he said, recalling a ruthless 40-4 destruction of St Helens at Langtree Park. “That’s the only game we’ve really performed well in.

“We were okay against London, had to really tough it out against Wigan and then played our get-out-of-jail card at Wakefield, but that’s what good teams do – win when not at their best.

“If we’re going to win at Leeds, though, we have to really hit that Saints level of performance again.

“We’re top of the league and know we can still improve so much. That is a big thing for us and it is very encouraging.

“I’ve been at clubs who have won trophies and I know this one, undoubtedly, has what it takes to do that. We can’t compete at 65 per cent, though, and drop the amount of ball we did last week.

“It was a poor performance but it’s good to see a good end to a story; after all the troubles Bradford went through last year, they’ve started to turn it around and started beating teams again.

“But Leeds will hurt us too if we do that again and we have to lift our game.”

Along with Fielden, second-row Dale Ferguson – back from his loan spell at Hull KR – will definitely feature while captain Danny Brough is also likely to return with Luke George and Anthony Mullally dropping out.

For Leeds, England duo Danny McGuire and Carl Ablett face late fitness tests and prop Ryan Bailey is back in the reckoning.

Huddersfield have allowed back-row Jon Molloy, 21, to join Salford City Reds on a three-year deal and given a full-time Super League contract to scrum-half Jack Miller, the 18-year-old son of Doncaster head coach Tony Miller.