BRETT HODGSON flew back into England just over a week ago to receive the coolest of receptions – and he couldn’t have been happier!

For the past three months, the inspirational Giants captain and his family had been enjoying the warm Australian sunshine back in Sydney where the average daily temperature had been in the mid-30s.

But when Hodgson, his wife Skye and children Annaliese (four) and Christian (two) returned to their English home in Slaithwaite, it was minus five and snowing!

Yet not once did it cross the mind of the 31-year-old newly-crowned Super League Man of Steel to take his family straight back to their native Australia.

As far as Hodgson was concerned, this was England at its best and he loved it. All it did was re-inforce his belief that being in Huddersfield and playing for the Giants was the only thing he wanted to do at this time in his life.

“We all had an absolute ball last year, and we’re already having a ball this year too,” said Hodgson.

“Obviously, coming from the warmth of Sydney to the cold of Huddersfield was a bit of a shock to the system at first, particularly for the kids.

“Unfortunately, they’re a bit crook at the moment, because their bodies have struggled to adjust to the rapid change in temperature, but I don’t think they would have missed playing in the snow for the first couple of days for the world.

“They loved every single second of it, and I think they’re lucky to have experienced something like this. It’s not every kid from Australia who’ll be able to say they’ve gone sledging, built a snowman and had a snowball fight!

“I know I was about 15 when I experienced snow for myself back home. We do get some over there, but it involved an eight or nine-hour journey for me to reach it.

“I have to admit opening my curtains every morning and seeing all this snow is a novelty I don’t think will ever wear off.

“I’m sure playing in the stuff isn’t the greatest experience in the world, and it has obviously caused a great deal of disruption with training, but so far it’s been great.”

Even though the icy blast prevented Huddersfield’s goalkicking full-back from turning out for the Giants in Eorl Crabtree’s postponed testimonial game against Halifax at the Galpharm on Sunday, Hodgson was able to return to pre-season training as planned last Monday.

He’s also had no trouble attending every session since, but he did admit his first couple of run-outs were fairly tough, even though he was happy with his level of fitness.

“When I was back in Australia I was able to keep myself fit training at West Tigers and Sydney Roosters,” he added.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and I’m sure it’ll have benefited ne because it was the chance for me to see different things and learn different things.

“But nothing could have prepared me for my first session back here.

“One minute I was training in the heat, and the next I was training in the icy cold, and I struggled to get used to it at first.

“My breathing was all over the place – it was pretty similar to the way you feel when you’re trying to adjust to train when it’s very humid – and I didn’t enjoy the experience too much.

“But I’m feeling far more comfortable about it now, and I’m able to do everything expected of me, which is obviously great.

“And now I’ve had chance to settle back in here, I’m really encouraged by what I’ve seen.

“The squad is much further ahead on all fronts than it was when I arrived this time last year, which is very exciting. The players all look fitter and stronger, as well as incredibly eager.

“On top of that, there’s a lot of depth to the squad this year and I think that could make a tremendous amount of difference.

“I returned here last weekend feeling very excited, and that excitement has just grown and grown on the back of training with the boys.

“Yes, it’s great to be back!”

CHILD’S PLAY Brett’s youngsters Annaliese, aged four, and Christian, aged two, get used to their new surroundings (s)