ONE of Huddersfield Giants biggest ‘fans’ is desperate to inflict as much misery as possible on his former club and take Castleford Tigers into the semi-final of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Popular prop Paul Jackson’s fondest moments in the game have all come during his time in the claret and gold.

Having come through the Giants’ Academy system – along with fellow Tiger Ryan Hudson – Jackson made his Huddersfield debut as a substitute in a Challenge Cup defeat at Halifax in February 1998 before going on to far greater things with the club in rugby league’s most famous knock-out competition.

In 2006, Jackson was in the starting line-up in the Challenge Cup final at Twickenham as the Giants were beaten by St Helens and was then a substitute when they lost to Warrington in the Wembley final three years later.

Apart from Jackson, fellow front-rower and great friend Eorl Crabtree was the only other player to have featured in both matches for Huddersfield.

But on Sunday, they will line up on opposite sides in the biggest clash between the two clubs since the Challenge Cup quarter-final of 2009 when a late Danny Kirmond try sealed a thrilling 16-14 Galpharm triumph.

And Jackson has admitted that looking forward to facing Huddersfield in the Cup has brought back some amazing memories.

“Looking back on my career, the two Challenge Cup finals are the clear highlights,” reflected Jackson, who will be in a Castleford side that includes fellow 2006 Giants finalists Stuart Jones and Steve Snitch.

“Unfortunately, they both ended in defeat, but they’re still occasions that will live with me forever. Being part of a Challenge Cup final is an incredible experience.

“There aren’t that many of us in the Cas side who’ve been lucky enough to play in a final, most of us who have did it with the Giants!

“But there is a great hunger and desire within the squad to get there this time around by getting the better of Huddersfield in the process.

“Many of the boys were part of that Cas team who were beaten by the Giants in 2009 when Danny scored that late try. It was a defeat that hit them hard, because they were probably the better side for much of the tie and ended up with nothing.

“I know that’s one of the extra sources of motivation this weekend.

“But the main thing is that we know we’re capable of getting to Wembley. We’ve got the ability, and we’re determined to go out there on Sunday and give it our very best shot.

“The prize for winning is massive. The right result means you’re only 80 minutes away from Wembley, and that’s a very special thought.”