Huddersfield v Wigan: Teams
Huddersfield Giants drew a blank at Harlequins last time out, but will hope to improve their play-off ambitions against the Warriors.
Last Updated: 14/03/08 4:23pm
Huddersfield Giants drew a blank at Harlequins last time out, but will hope to improve their play-off ambitions against the Warriors on Sunday afternoon.
Jon Sharp's men made a disastrous start to the season, opening up with defeats to West Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls.
But they bounced back with a 64-12 victory over the Castleford Tigers and have gone on to beat Hull FC since.
On the injury front, former Wigan wingers Martin Aspinwall and David Hodgson have both been ruled out, but back row forward Stuart Jones has been called into Jon Sharp's squad.
The Giants won the corresponding fixture 41-16 last season and they will be expecting another big performance from top try-scorer Luke Robinson, who is one of four ex-Wigan men in Huddersfield's squad.
Silver lining
Richard Mathers has been handed a three-match ban after earning the first red card of his career in the Warriors' defeat to Warrington.
But stand-off Trent Barrett escaped punishment after being cited for an alleged spear tackle on Paul Johnson at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Winger Mark Calderwood looks set to make his first appearance of the season meanwhile, after recovering from a serious ankle injury.
The former Leeds Rhino's return means that Pat Richards will revert to full-back, with Brian Noble's side in need of the points to keep pace with the early league leaders.
Giants squad: Thorman, Elford, Whaturia, Brown, Robinson, Crabtree, Gatis, Skandalis, Lolesi, Raleigh, Wild, Jones, Jackson, Mason, Snitch, Griffin, Hudson, Cudjoe, Jensen.
Warriors squad: Calderwood, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Paleaaesina, Hock, Bailey, O'Loughlin, Colbon, Coley, Hansen, McIlorum, J. Tomkins, O'Carroll, Coyle.