HE MAY have played just two trial games and one Super League XVIII fixture for his new club.

But Craig Kopczak has already made a very sizeable impact at Huddersfield Giants.

The 26-year-old prop was his side’s best player at St Helens on his debut in the claret and gold in mid-January, and he was again one of the main men in the home win over Widnes Vikings nine days later.

Then he capped that off with a magnificent starting display in last Saturday’s stunning 40-4 opening-night top-flight triumph as Huddersfield won at St Helens for the first time in 35 years.

As a result, the Huddersfield faithful have seen straight away why the Giants had worked so hard to secure his services from Bradford Bulls for the next three seasons.

They could also see why he was the Bulls’ Player of the Year in 2011 and why he has been the Wales captain for the past two seasons.

But the 6ft 4in, 17st prop isn’t going to get carried away in the slightest by the start he’s made.

On the contrary, he knows such a promising opening has placed added pressure on him, with the fans’ expectations for Super League XVIII having immediately been raised.

It’s just a good job, therefore, that he possesses such broad shoulders to carry that burden.

In fact, he’s hoping that extra pressure helps take his game to an even higher level – and he produces an improved performance in tomorrow’s opening home game of the season against London Broncos (3.00).

“I’m really pleased with the way things have started for me,” said Kopczak.

“But I know that it’s just a start, and it’s what happens in the Super League games over the next nine months that really matters.

“I obviously hope the Giants fans have already seen something in my game that they like. I’ve certainly had a fair bit of positive feedback, which is great.

“The key now is to keep building, concentrate on improving my game and being able to make a positive contribution to the side on a regular basis.

“If I’m able to do that, then I’ll be happy – as long as the team’s do well, of course!

“And I’m sure we can.

“The Giants have been top-four material for the past few years, and having spent pre-season with the rest of the boys and been part of that fantastic win at Saints last week I’ve no doubt at all that can be the case again.

“Before committing myself to the club, I went through all of the squad very closely and there was no doubt it was packed with quality and had lots of size.

“Having now spent the past few months here, I can confidently say I was right!

“We felt good going into last week’s first League game, and the ay we performed as a team proved to everyone the hard work we’ve been putting in is just what we needed to do. It’s taken everyone’s confidence up a notch.”

Although Kopczak started last week’s clash at Saints alongside Stuart Fielden, he’s well aware he’s going to face some fierce competition to hold onto that spot.

Vying with him for a place in the Giants front-row are also Eorl Crabtree, Anthony Mullally and Larne Patrick, while the likes of new arrival Ukuma Ta’ai, Luke O’Donnell and Jason Chan can push us from second row to prop if required.

But with Kopczak having been handed the starting No10 shirt for 2013 and having received so much technical support from head coach Paul Anderson and fellow new signing Stuart Fielden, he feels he’s in a strong position to retain the role on a more permanent basis.

As former first-choice Great Britain props, the less-experienced front-rower is eager to learn off the duo, and he believes he’s already becoming a better player as a result.

“Knowing I’d be coached by someone like Paul Anderson was a major factor in why I came here,” added Kopczak.

“He’s already passed on a massive amount of tips that I know are adding to my game.

“And that’s the same with Stu Fielden. I know if I need any advice, all I’ve got to do is ask him and he’ll spend as much time as I need with him.

“You really couldn’t ask for any more than that.

“But that’s just what it’s like here. Everyone gets on so well together, and we’re all prepared to give each other as much support as necessary. We really are like one big happy family.

“And that could be one of our many extra strengths this season.”