HALIFAX head coach Anthony Farrell believes the Infirmary Cup clash against the Giants at The Shay on Monday (3.00) is vital to his club's preparations for National League I.
While Huddersfield are planning to field a squad packed with Academy players, Farrell is ready to give many of his senior men a run-out in the festive fixture.
Fax have only a couple of `friendlies' planned, while the January 2 fixture is the first of five for the Giants in their build-up to Super League XI.
And that's reflected in the way the respective clubs are treating the contest, with Huddersfield fielding only a handful of Super League squad men.
"This is a really important game for us," acknowledged Farrell.
"It's the first time in 2006 that the players can pull their boots back on, and they're all pretty keen to do so.
"As far as I'm concerned, this fixture is as important as our last game of last season, which was the play-off game at Castleford Tigers.
"That's given us a great platform for next season and we hope to build significantly on what we achieved.
"A promising start against Huddersfield is just what we need."
Included in the Giants squad is expected to be talented teenager Simon George, who has just been promoted to the Super League squad.
And with Farrell having been his coach when George broke into the first team at National Conference League side Huddersfield Sharks two years ago, the Halifax chief will have more than a passing interest in the performance of the 19-year-old back-row forward.
Halifax, meanwhile, are expected to hand a debut to former Giants star Marcus St Hilaire.
