THE Giants may have crumbled beneath the Rhinos.

But Huddersfield's Rugby League stars have attracted a new range of fans - from the other side of the world.

As guests of the Huddersfield Giants, a group of Huddersfield University Chinese students were introduced to the `subtleties' of rugby league at the weekend.

The eight Chinese students, from a variety of courses, went along to the Giants' home game against Super League Champions, the Leeds Rhinos.

It was part of a series of links that the University is fostering with the club - including, of course, sponsorship of the team.

The University welcomes approximately 700 international students from outside the EU every year and 200 of these come from China.

As rugby is hardly ever played in China, none of the students had ever seen a rugby match before, and weren't quite sure what to expect.

However, the spectacle certainly met with their expectations even though the Giants took a bit of a beating from the world champions, losing 54-10.

"We don't really play rugby in China," said Qian Chen, from Nanyang. "The main sports are football and basketball.

"However, because we are currently living in Huddersfield, we were supporting the Giants. My friends and I loved the atmosphere and the stadium was very impressive.

"I found the whole thing really interesting, although it was very violent.

"We didn't understand all the rules, but I would certainly like to go again."

* Table tennis, basketball and soccer are the most popular sports in China.

* National teams and athletes are known for their excellence and have won numerous Olympic medals, particularly in gymnastics, women's volleyball and table tennis.

* China was placed third in overall total medals awarded at the 2000 Olympics. In 2008, China will host the Olympic Games in Beijing.

* China has developed dozens of movement-based arts, many of which have become popular worldwide. l Tai-chi-chuan, or tai chi, is an ancient form of exercise. The basic style, called Yang, is extremely popular with elderly Chinese for its ability to enhance circulation, muscle tone and balance.

* Younger people may try one of the more strenuous and martial styles of tai chi.

* Other movement arts include qigong, which is used to promote health and healing, and many forms of boxing.