Hull to be in top shape for Giants

Jan 3 2008 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HULL FC expect to be in great shape for their major home pre-season clash against the Giants on Sunday week.

That’s the expert view of club conditioner Paul Hatton as the Airlie Birds gear up for Paul King’s testimonial match at the KC Stadium on Sunday, January 13.

The prop, who is ready to celebrate 10 years at the club with the play-off re-match against Huddersfield, is one of many Hull players to have shown a big increase in fitness over the past few months.

And Hatton admits he is delighted with the way training is going as Hull begin 2008.

With new signing, prop Peter Cusack having now joined the rest of the squad, Hatton revealed: “We still have plenty of work to do but I’m delighted with the progress we’ve made.

“Right now I’d say we are ahead of the target we set when we returned to training in November.

“All the boys have buckled down really well and they have got stuck into the programmes we have set extremely well.”

Three of Hull’s Australian signings, Shaun Berrigan, Adam Dykes and Todd Byrne have been in full training for a number of weeks and Hatton said: “They came in good shape and they have gone really well since getting here.

“All three have settled in well, they are now fully settled into the squad and have shown an excellent attitude.”