Veteran Huddersfield Giants centre Leroy Cudjoe eager to learn from new Giants coach Ian Watson

The former England international is 32 and has seen most things during a long career that saw him reach 300 games earlier this year.

However, he is the first to admit he never stops learning and that is one reason he is looking forward to linking up with the Great Britain assistant coach who has led Salford Red Devils to two major finals in the last 14 months.

“I am really excited to be working with Watto,” said Cudjoe, about the coach appointed last month as replacement for Simon Woolford, who left in September.

“He did a great job at Salford given what they achieved during his time there, reaching the Challenge Cup final this season and a Grand Final last year.

“He seems to get the best out of his players which is something I’m looking forward to. I believe the club is capable of doing well, both in the short and long-term, especially with the appointment of Watto and his staff.”

That staff includes Salford conditioner Greg Brown, who worked at Giants when they won the 2013 League Leaders’ Shield.

Having spent all his career at home-town Huddersfield and finished seventh this term, Cudjoe is desperate to help them win a first major trophy since the 1962 league title.

Watson has already made a couple of signings with England Knights prop Jack Ashworth joining from St Helens and NRL half-back Jack Cogger from Canterbury Bulldogs.

More captures are expected with Huddersfield hoping to recruit Great Britain second-row Josh Jones from Hull FC.

“I’ve only chatted to Watto briefly,” said Cudjoe, about his sixth Giants coach after Jon Sharp, Nathan Brown, Paul Anderson, Rick Stone and Woolford. “We just spoke about a few things he saw in my game he wanted me to work on. But we’ve two testing days – Friday and Monday – and start properly on January 4th. We’ve recruited well and added some competition.”

Meanwhile, Giants have let winger Innes Senior, 20, return to Wakefield Trinity on a season-long loan in 2021 after he impressed there earlier this year while half-back Tom Holmes, 24, has been released to join a Championship club.

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