Watson fires out a warning to the rest of Super League

HUDDERSFIELD Giants boss Ian Watson says his squad will enjoy the ‘pressure’ of challenging at the top end of Betfred Super League.

They are looking for a sixth straight win in the competition when they head to Hull KR tomorrow.

Bolstered by the return of scrumhalf Olly Russell for the first time since their Challenge Cup final loss to Wigan and captain Luke Yates after suspension, they are in great shape.

Prop Seb Ikahihifo could also make his first appearance in five weeks.

People have

started speaking about fourth-placed Giants - who finished ninth last term in Watson’s first season in charge - being genuine title contenders.

But Watson said: “This group will get better again from having 12 months together.

“The fact people are talking about us being a threat is good. That’s what we want people talking about us for.

“It’s obviously completely different from last year when people were knocking us and not seeing where we were going.

“And it’s good to have that pressure to be competing at the top end of the table. It’s what you play the game for.”

Winning at Rovers will be a test of Huddersfield’s mettle.

Their hosts still have the painful memory of last month’s Elland Road Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Giants fresh in their minds.

Tony Smith’s side are expected to respond as they meet for the first time since that 25-4 loss.

It is the sort of fixture in which Huddersfield, who beat Leeds Rhinos 30-16 before the international break, would slip up in in previous years.

Watson says it will be a ‘huge’ test and added: “Hull KR are very different at Hull KR. “They have a really good record playing at home so it will be a different challenge.

“Obviously, they’ll be smarting. I’ve seen quite a lot of reports over the last few weeks about the semi-final, making sure they get

We have a run of games where if we are really professional we can put ourselves in a really strong position