The Huddersfield Giants have today handed promising prop Nathan Mason a two-year contract extension.

The 20-year-old 6ft 4in, 17st front-rower has yet to make his Super League debut and is currently impressing on-loan at hometown Championship club Oldham.

But the performances he has been producing during his time away have caught the eye of head coach Paul Anderson, whose decision to keep him clearly proves he believes he has the potential to make it at the highest level.

And Mason admits that’s given him a massive boost in confidence.

“I couldn’t be much happier at the moment,” said Mason.

“It was a worry earlier in the season as I was approaching the end of my first full-time contract and didn’t know what the future may hold.

“But Paul (Anderson) has always said he wanted me to keep working hard and improving and if I did that the rest would fall into place.

“The next step is to try and break into the first team during these next two years, and I’m determined to do that.

“We have lots of top-class experienced forwards here for me to learn off, as well as the coaching staff (including former Great Britain props Anderson and Stuart Fielden) and our other younger props will be

pushing for my slot, too.

“So it really is a competitive position and I know I face a tough task to get in but I now have some security, which is what I wanted.”

The Mason deal was confirmed by Giants managing director Richard Thewlis, who has revealed more player retentions are at the planning stage.

“All the consistently successful sides have a conveyor of youth coming through their systems and we have increased our investment in this area year on year,” he said.

“Nathan fully deserves more time with the club and whilst he may well spend time away from us playing on loan, he trains here and is watched at every game.

“Nathan still has physical growth in him and the off-seasons will be crucial for his strength, power and agility, but he will be given every opportunity here to be the best player he possibly can be.

“The market place for quality players is very scare and we are looking to secure our own talent to the club for longer periods as part of our overall development, so we are naturally very pleased that Nathan committed to us as we have to him. “

Meanwhile, the Giants Academy Under 19s were beaten 14-12 at St Helens.

The visitors' two second-half tries were scored by Will Gledhill and Jack Miller, who also added the conversions  

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