Big Nathan Mason is hoping his tryscoring performance at Warrington will help keep him in the Giants frame under new boss Rick Stone.

Although the Giants have endured a wretched Super League XXI campaign and finished at the bottom of the regular season after suffering Saturday’s 34-30 defeat at the Wolves, 22-year-old prop Mason has come of age in the top flight in 2016.

His appearance at Warrington last weekend with his 18th of the season.

And after showing up well at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and demonstrating great strength to cross the tryline, Mason is desperate to play a key role for the Giants in their Middle 8s challenge that gets under way next month.

“It’s been good getting in the squad and getting a lot more game time at Super League level,” said the 6ft 4in, 17-stone Oldham-born front-rower, who signed a contract extension earlier in the year to remain at the Giants until the end of the 2018 campaign.

“Obviously, I need to keep getting better and be part of better team performances.

“But, from a personal point of view, it’s been a good season for me, because I’ve had the chance to prove myself at this level.

“I’m pleased with the way things are progressing, but I now just need to keep cracking on, keep working hard and convince Rick I deserve to be a part of his future plans.

“I know I can do well for him.”