HUDDERSFIELD RU have a point to prove tomorrow when they entertain top Humberside outfit Hull at Lockwood Park (3.00).

Four months ago, coach Dan Hyde’s side were blown away at the Ferens Ground when the former Hull and Bradford Bulls rugby league player Tevita Vaikona, who is now director of rugby and player-coach, helped his side wreak havoc with a 34-0 victory.

That left Huddersfield coach Hyde smarting and he will be aiming to redress the balance tomorrow, when Hull come to town.

The visitors will be without Vaikona, who put Hull on the path to their home victory when he scored two tries himself and then set up a third for his winger, as the Tongan is reported out of action with a serious leg injury.

Nevertheless, Hyde knows his side will have to be on top form to prolong their four-game unbeaten run and reverse the fortunes from when the two teams last met.

“We’ve done our homework and put a game plan together, and hope we can stick to it,” he said.

“We know we have to be aware of driving mauls, which is where they are very strong with a big pack.”

Huddersfield’s coach is very reliant on a young back line too, with neither of the Paxman brothers available (one injured the other on holiday), while Tom van Rooyen is also out long term with a broken wrist.

Dave Hall, therefore, continues at 12 where he will be partnered by young Mike Clarke, with James Wood and Simon Pratt again on the wings just in front of full-back Tom Owen.

Up front, Tony Stringwell has recovered and takes his place in the front row with James Davies getting the starting nod at open-side after a good performance in last week’s nine-try rout of Manchester.

Regular second row Lee Brown is still recovering from flu, and his replacement James Bodsworth retains his place in the squad (on the bench this week) after being another player to take his chance last week.

Huddersfield: Owen, Pratt, Hall, Clarke, Wood; Johnson, Hinchliffe; Stringwell, Morrill, Davies, Hinchliff, Rhodes, Lewis, Sharpe, Hyde. Subs: Battye, Lancaster, Rothery, Shuttleworth, Bodsworth.

Huddersfield YMCA are without a game this week, but they are hosting an Under 17 County match at Laund Hill on Sunday, when Yorkshire entertain North Wales (2pm).