HUDDERSFIELD Giants have fixed up a Super League pre-season fixture at home to Castleford Tigers on Friday, January 30 (7.30).
It will be the club's only run-out at the McAlpine ahead of the start of Super League IX on the weekend of February 20.
There are plans for an away pre-season clash against another Super League club in the weeks leading up to the new campaign, although the date and opposition has yet to be confirmed.
But Giants head coach Jon Sharp has already ruled out playing a game over the Christmas period.
"Playing on January 30 fits in perfectly with my plans," said Sharp.
"I felt the timing was wrong to stage a festive fixture for my group of players.
"It would have cut right across our preparation for the new season and would have been of very little benefit.
"But by the end of January I'll have more of an idea of how things are going and what we still need to work on.
"I'll have had time to work on various combinations on the training field and January 30 will be the ideal time to put them into practice in the competitive environment.
"This match will, of course, also give me the chance to take a look at all my players in closer detail.
"They will have spent a long time kicking their heels and should be ready to go."
Several Giants players are, of course, still involved in competitive action in the European Nations Cup.
They include second-rower Iain Morrison who was today named in the Scotland side to face France in Narbonne on Sunday. The team is coached by Giants assistant Billy McGinty, while media and marketing manager Richard Thewlis is the team manager.
