HUDDERSFIELD Giants have given a massive thumbs up to their fixture schedule for 2007.
The programme for Super League XII has been unveiled today, with the Giants opening the competition with a home game against champions St Helens on Friday, February 28.
It's the first match in a 27-game schedule, with the Giants playing Wakefield four times, Bradford, Hull KR and Warrington three times and the rest of the teams twice.
Huddersfield face a very tough opening, with four of their first five fixtures against Saints, Bradford, Leeds and Hull.
But club officials admit the list could have been a whole lot worse.
"We've got to be pleased with the spread of games," said Giants football manager Stuart Sheard.
"It's a pretty tough start, but I know the boys will be up for the challenge.
"I know they're already excited about opening up the Super League season with the home game against St Helens.
"They are usually good games between us, and who can forget last season when we became the first team in Super League that year to beat them?
"To be honest, if you can't get excited about hosting the reigning champions on the opening day of the season, when can you get excited?
"And we're also looking forward to our second home game against Hull KR.
"There's always something special about welcoming a new Super League club to the Galpharm, and that's obviously what we'll be doing.
"They will be backed by a passionate army of fans, and it has the all the makings of a great day.
"We're also particularly pleased with our Easter programme, which was soon punishing for us last season and did hit our squad hard.
"We have got the home game against Wakefield on Good Friday and the trip to Warrington on Easter Monday.
"But there are big enough breaks before and after these matches for us to deal with it far better."
The fact the Giants play Saints on the opening day of the season on the Friday means they have had to re-arrange some of their pre-season schedule.
The home clash against Wigan on Sunday, January 21, remains, but the game at Leeds Rhinos which was down for a week later, will now be played on Friday, January 26.
And the planned pre-season game at Batley Bulldogs on Sunday, February 4, has been scrapped.
