EXHAUSTED Eorl Crabtree is confident the Huddersfield Giants will reap the rewards of their three-day army training camp.

Huddersfield’s Super League squad returned to their training field today after their gruelling trip to North Yorkshire where the were put through their paces by the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery – the Yorkshire Gunners.

The Giants took part in a variety of exercises, suffered from sleep deprivation and were forced to live off meagre rations.

But even though the players were pushed to their limit, England prop Crabtree can see why the club chose to embark on this trip rather than head off for traditional warm-weather training.

Crabtree said: “I think the way all the boys would sum it up would be ‘absolutely awful’.

“None of us had ever experienced anything like this and, to be honest, I don’t think any of us would ever want to experience it again. On the journey back to Huddersfield, we were all absolutely exhausted.

“But I’m sure the coaches got everything out of it they wanted.

“The bond between us is now even stronger, because the exercises were all designed to encourage team work.

“And after being put through so much over the past few days, I also think we’re now mentally stronger as a group.

“I believe that one area we need to work on if we are to become an even bigger Super League player is our mental attitude.

“In that respect alone, this week could prove massive.”