HUDDERSFIELD’S recent record will be in the back of Leeds’ mind.

The Giants have tasted success in the past three seasons against the Rhinos at Headingley, after a 38-6 thrashing in 2011, a 22-12 win in 2012 and another convincing 32-8 victory this campaign.

That, after a 52-year hoodoo there, just shows how the Giants have progressed in recent years.

Their Tetley’s Challenge Cup encounter also saw Huddersfield come out on top 24-8, despite Joe Wardle seeing red. But that is not to say Leeds will be a piece of cake.

After winning their fifth Super League crown in six years, the champions have strengthened their squad even further.

The introduction of Exiles centre Joel Moon, alongside relative unknown former Gold Coast Titans outside back Joel Vickery, have certainly given them more strike in attack.

Last Monday’s win at home to Widnes after many of their players backed up from international duty further highlighted their capabilities, and they will be looking to continue to build on that this weekend against Paul Anderson’s men.

OVER the last couple of years, Brian McDermott has been the coach with the Midas touch when it matters.

A second consecutive fifth place finish in the league was not what he would have wanted, but once again that is where McDermott worked his magic.

From there, the ex-Royal Marine guided Leeds to their third trophy in just his second year in charge, avenging their Challenge Cup final heartache by beating Warrington, proving lightning does strike twice after mapping the same heroics the previous season.

And after missing out on the World Club Challenge trophy and the Challenge Cup, McDermott will be craving silverware once again come the end of the year.

POCKET ROCKET Rob Burrow is a man who knows how to produce the goods.

The England international made a name for himself as an elusive scrum-half.

But the departures of Danny Buderus and Matt Diskin left a noticeable void to be filled at hooker and Burrow certainly has not disappointed in his new role.

Burrow scored one of the greatest tries ever in a Grand Final, after he inspired Leeds to victory in a Harry Sunderland award-winning performance against St Helens in 2012.

He has been one of the game’s best dummy-half runners ever since and is undoubtedly the man the Giants need to stop this Sunday