Huddersfield Giants v Widnes Vikings: Super League preview
Last Updated: 06/03/15 7:27pm
Huddersfield Giants welcome back full-back Scott Grix for Friday’s Super League meeting with Widnes Vikings at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The 30-year-old Ireland international has played two games with dual-registration club Oldham following shoulder surgery and is deemed fit enough to be named in Paul Anderson’s 19-man squad.
Grix replaces Jodie Broughton as the Giants seek to end their three-game losing start to the Super League season, while injured hooker Luke Robinson misses out once again.
Anderson is refusing to panic after the bad start, especially after witnessing a marked improvement in their last two performances, against Wigan and Leeds.
"Clearly, Widnes' league position shows they're in a better position than we are but, if we learn the lessons from Leeds and keep on improving, we know Friday night can be our night," he said.
Widnes were resounding 58-16 victors over Wakefield last weekend as they registered their first victory of the campaign, with Lloyd White scoring four of their 10 tries.
Vikings head coach Denis Betts has made one change to his squad, with Alex Gerrard replacing Jack Owens.
Widnes' former Giants skipper Kevin Brown has been identified as the main threat as the Vikings go in search of their first win at Huddersfield since 1996.
"He missed the game at Leeds the week before and they struggled but he came back against Wakefield and played well - which was always going to be the case - and Widnes played well on the back of it," Anderson said.
Huddersfield Giants: 1 Scott Grix, 2 Jermaine McGillvary, 3 Leroy Cudjoe, 4 Joe Wardle, 5 Aaron Murphy, 6 Danny Brough (c), 8 Eorl Crabtree, 9 Shaun Lunt, 10 Craig Huby, 11 Brett Ferres, 12 Jack Hughes, 13 Chris Bailey, 14 Michael Lawrence, 15 Craig Kopczak, 16 Kyle Wood, 17 Ukuma Ta’ai, 19 Anthony Mullally, 20 Jamie Ellis, 22 Jake Connor.
Widnes Vikings: 1 Rhys Hanbury, 2 Paddy Flynn, 3 Cameron Phelps, 4 Stefan Marsh, 5 Patrick Ah Van, 6 Kevin Brown (c), 7 Joe Mellor, 8 Eamon O’Carroll, 9 Lloyd White, 10 Manase Manuokafoa, 11 Danny Galea, 12 Danny Tickle, 13 Hep Cahill, 14 Chris Dean, 17 Chris Clarkson, 19 Ben Kavanagh, 25 Alex Gerrard, 33 Aaron Heremaia, 35 Gil Dudson.