ST HELENS' former Giants prop Nick Fozzard believes the fact Huddersfield have come so close to beating his side twice this season means the Saints will take nothing for granted this weekend.

The Giants and Saints go head to head in what is expected to be another exciting encounter at the Galpharm Stadium on Sunday (3.00).

In the Super League clash at Knowsley Road in February, coach Jon Sharp's side mounted a spirited fightback and can count themselves unlucky to lose 34-24.

Then three weeks ago, the Giants were beaten 26-22 by St Helens in a controversial Challenge Cup clash, with several refereeing calls by Ronnie Laughton causing outrage inside the home camp.

Fozzard admits the result on both occasions could have gone either way - a fact hammered home by St Helens coach Ian Millward all week.

"Huddersfield have shown us twice already that they are a team that are very tough to beat," said Fozzard, who is still based in Huddersfield.

"Their fightback at our place earlier in the season caused us a bit of unease and we know we only got through by the skin of our teeth in the Challenge Cup.

"We didn't stick to the gameplan that day and really had to grind out the result.

"We know there was a fair bit of controversy over some of the refereeing calls that day, and the Giants weren't over-impressed.

"Over at Saints, we haven't given that much thought.

"Instead, we focused on the need to improve from the way we played that day, and to produce a far better display to guarantee success against the Giants this time around."

Fozzard and his St Helens teammates have now had the chance to see the Giants' below-par performance against Bradford Bulls last weekend.

However, that performance has been largely ignored and the Saints have instead looked more closely at the way Huddersfield played in beating Wigan at the Galpharm the week before.

"They were really good that night, and we're expecting them to play like that against us," added Fozzard.

"I don't think any of us was too surprised with the way Huddersfield's forwards bossed the contest.

"I know from personal experience how tough their pack is.

"And we saw how dangerous a full-back Paul Reilly can be with his three tries.

"I'm still good mates with Paul from our time together at Huddersfield, and I'm delighted to see him playing so well.

"But he can expect few favours from me this weekend if our paths cross!"