HUDDERSFIELD Giants are ready to meet the challenge of Warrington Wolves head-on!

Pack power has been a major strength of a Warrington side who are poised to provide the Giants with a massive opening home Super League test at the Galpharm on Sunday (3.00).

Despite being without major pre-season signing Paul Rauhihi, who starred at prop for New Zealand during their victorious Tri-Nations' campaign last autumn, the Wolves still possess a dangerous bite.

Although hamstring victim Rauhihi will be a big loss, Warrington still boast a strong set of forwards in the likes of Chris Leikvoll, Danny Lima and England star Paul Wood.

But confident Giants coach Jon Sharp believes his front men will relish the chance to try and tame the Wolves, even though he is wary they will be determined to bounce back following last Sunday's shock 24-6 home defeat to Salford.

"Warrington are going to be a tough challenge, they always are," said Sharp, who has named the same initial 20-man squad for a second successive week.

"They are a skilful team, and they will be pumped up, aggressive and ready to play.

"You know when you face Warrington you'll be up against a side who will be strong in the forwards and will be very tough to beat.

"In the time I've been here, we've played them five times, and all five have been really close affairs, and I'm sure this will be no exception.

"Warrington have a set of forwards who can do the opposition a lot of damage, but so can we.

"In Eorl Crabtree, Paul Jackson and Wayne McDonald, we have three prop forwards who will relish the challenge, and I believe they will handle it very well.

"Eorl has had a great off-season, and he's going to be challenging for international honours again this year after the form he showed for England in the autumn.

"Wayne has just completed his first pre-season with the club and come on a bundle, and Paul has also fitted in well again.

"We've got plenty of size in our pack and I'm happy with how we're going."

Giants staff, meanwhile, are finalising plans for their new-look pre-match entertainment programme.

They have now confirmed that Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher (who plays Andy Sugden) will be making a guest appearance.

He will take part in a host of activities on the day and adds to the impressive line up of activities that the Giants have in store for fans this Sunday.

"We're delighted Kelvin is able to come and add even more to our pre-match programme," said Giants marketing officer Jonathan Wilkinson.

"Everything is in place to guarantee the fans a day to remember, and hopefully they will be out in force.

"We're hoping to attract a big crowd, and we would urge all our season-ticket holders to think about using their Friend For a Fiver voucher for this match.

"Home games are always special."

Huddersfield: Reilly, Aspinwall, Evans, De Vere, Donlan, Thorman, Paul, Crabtree, Drew, Nero, Snitch, Wild, Jones, Jackson, March, Smith, McDonald, Grayshon, Gardner, Torrens.

Warrington: Grose, Fa'afili, Martin Gleeson, Kohe-Love, Briers, Sullivan, Leikvoll, Clarke, Swann, Wainwright, Noone, Mark Gleeson, Westwood, Wood, Lima, Barnett, Grix, Pickersgill, Bracek, Bridge.

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham).