No injury concerns for Hull boss

HULL FC head coach Brett Hodgson has confirmed he has a fully fit squad to choose from for Sunday’s Super League opener against Huddersfield Giants.

With the exception of Jamie Shaul, who is still several months away from a return to action, they travel to want to be involved in and it’s not what the players at Huddersfield want to be involved in.

“They want to go into every game expecting to win.”

Watson has had the added bonus of an extended off-season due to the pandemic and the delayed start to the campaign.

And that has been a big help in him getting to know his players and the club.

“Going to a new club it has been important we have had more time with the players,” he

Headingley with a clean bill of health having seen a number of players shake off minor knocks. Scott Taylor missed the friendly clash with York City Knights a fortnight ago through an Achilles issue, but he has been given the green light to be involved.

The same can be said for said. “Last season I think we had a five-week pre-season and at Salford we had 12 new players in the squad and started the season quite slowly on the back of that.

“They didn’t have enough time together to get those combinations working and also to get physically prepared.

“So coming to a new club, it has been ideal to have extra time.”

Giants look to have a clean bill of health for the opener, and Watson is expecting a tough encounter against Hull.

Jordan Johnstone and Masi Matongo, who missed the trip to the LNER Community Stadium with respective knee and hand issues. As such, Hodgson will have some difficult decisions to make before releasing his first 21-man squad as head coach of the Black and Whites tomorrow

He added: “The first game is always an important one. You want to get your season off to a good start.

“It is not the be-all and endall, but we want to start off strong.

“We expect Hull to be a really competitive team on Sunday, really enthusiastic.

“They have a new coach and will be lead around the field by Josh Reynolds who will give them plenty of energy and spark them up.

“But we have to make sure we out-enthuse them.” at noon. “We’re in a fortunate position where everyone is fit at the moment,” Hodgson said.

“We’re going to have some tough conversations with players that won’t be playing unfortunately, but it’s a good position for us to be in.”