Huddersfield Giants boss Ian Watson confirms likely Jack Ashworth exit amid Hull FC interest

The 27-year-old has played 25 games for the Giants since joining from St Helens ahead of the 2021 season, including seven appearances this year.

Ashworth has been linked with Hull FC as he approaches the end of his contract at the John Smith's Stadium – and Watson confirmed the front-rower is likely to move on.

"We think he will be," said Watson, who is also set to lose Owen Trout at the end of the year.

"Jack has been really up front with us. He's been here a couple of years now.

"People are looking for British middles and are offering him good contracts.

"At this moment in time, it looks like Jack is going in a different direction, which is what he feels will be the right one for him and his family. We can only support that."

Ashworth has spent time out on loan at Leigh Leopards, Halifax Panthers and Featherstone Rovers during his stay with Huddersfield after failing to nail down a regular spot in Watson's 17.

The forward has not featured for the Giants since the 28-0 defeat at Hull KR on May 5.

"Jack is in and around the periphery of our squad and sometimes they want to play week in, week out," added Watson.

"They've got to balance out where they see themselves and whether they're happy being in that squad position or want to get a guaranteed start.

"From what I've been told, that's what has been offered – that he'll be in that 17. It is what it is."

Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe and Chris McQueen are among the other Huddersfield players approaching the end of their contracts.

With the Giants in ninth place in Super League after a disappointing start to the season, Watson says now is not the time to discuss their futures.

"The worst thing you can do in this situation is for your team not to be performing and losing games," he added. "It doesn't look good on anybody and everyone starts thinking about different things.

"What we're focusing on is the immediate game by game and we'll deal with that as we go forward.

"The club are well aware of that situation, we're well aware of it and so are the players. We need to sort that out going forward."

McQueen's return in last week's win over Castleford Tigers has seen Sam Hewitt head back to Wakefield Trinity on loan.

Watson has reiterated that the second-rower is very much part of his future plans.

"Sam has done a brilliant job for us and played really well while he's been here," said Watson.

"Crispy (McQueen) was away against Salford and if you look at that game, Sam was really, really good in attack and defence.

"Crispy is our starting back-rower so what we didn't want Sam to do was drop backwards. When we found out (Kelepi) Tanginoa was injured, we spoke to Wakefield and they snapped our hand off to have him back and said he would more or less go straight in.

"It was a no-brainer for us. Rather than having him sat here and being the 18th or 19th man, the idea was to get him out and keep his development going."