BUOYED by Saturday’s cracking win over Fylde, Huddersfield return to the Yorkshire Cup trail tonight when they tackle the mighty Leeds Carnegie at West Park Bramhope (7.30pm).

Crowned National I champions a week ago, Leeds suffered a 23-18 defeat to Moseley in the EDF National Trophy final at Twickenham at the weekend, and it remains to be seen as to how strong a side they put out in tonight’s semi-final.

It will be the third year in succession that Huddersfield have been paired with Leeds, and the honours so far are even, the Lockwood Park men winning two years ago 16-14 in Leeds, while last year it was Carnegie’s turn to take the spoils with a 47-9 victory in Huddersfield.

Having already won their League title, Leeds may decide to include a number of first teamers, but having had a hard game at Twickenham, it will probably be a predominantly second team/development squad.

On Saturday, Huddersfield pulled off a remarkable 44-32 victory over Fylde in their latest National III North clash, in front of the watching ex-England skipper Bill Beaumont, who was supporting his home club, for whom son Sam now plays at No8.

And tonight, Field may well be playing in front of another ex-England rugby union star Neil Back, who is now the coach at Leeds Carnegie.

Centre Matt Clarke picked up a shoulder injury against Fylde, and director of rugby Mark Sowerby and his assistant coach Glen Wilson, will probably give him a fitness test prior to the game, but definitely out is full-back Ben Paxman with a foot injury.

Huddersfield: Shaw, Johnson (M), Paxman (L), Clarke, Van Rooyen; Johnson (C), Rothery; Stringwell, Davies, Slater, Rhodes, Hinchliff, Whitehead, Jacobsz, Sharpe. Subs: Sharrock, Battye, Gough, Clayton, Owen.