EARLY-MORNING starts will be the order of the day for the Giants during a week of hard work at Ripon.
Head coach Jon Sharp has warned his Super League squad that next week's trip to the Deverell Army Barracks will be no picnic.
A key feature of an itinerary which the players will receive later today will be training sessions at 7.30am!
They will set the scene for five days of high-intensity work which will leave the players with very little time to catch their breath.
And on one of the rare occasions they are not on the training pitch or in the weights room, they will be visited by RFL technical executive Stuart Cummings.
The referees supremo will explain the new rule changes and answer any questions the players may have regarding the moves.
Cummings is paying his visit on Monday evening at the invitation of Sharp, who believes the meeting will be of tremendous benefit.
"It's really good of Stuart Cummings to find time to come and visit us," said Sharp.
"The coaches meet with Stuart on a fairly regular basis to discuss rule changes, referees' interpretations and other matters of that nature.
"But there is no provision made for the players to have similar discussions.
"I don't think that's right, because it's the players who are the ones who have to adhere to those rule changes on the field and have to fall in line with the referee's interpretations of those rules.
"That's why I felt it would be a good idea to ask Stuart to come along next week.
"I'm sure many of my players would like certain rules clarifying by Stuart, and Monday is the chance to do just that.
"There must have been times when they have been pulled up for a certain offence and don't quite understand why.
"Now they have the golden opportunity to quiz the man at the very top as to why that happened.
"And I'm sure the players also have some questions about the new rules to be introduced.
"In my opinion, a meeting of this nature can only do good."
Huddersfield are the only Super League club who are not venturing abroad for their training camp, but Sharp is convinced every aspect of the five-day army camp stay will do wonders for his squad.
A variety of skills work, fitness work and team meetings will form the basis of the trip.
They will, however, also take part in several army-type exercise designed to encourage teamwork.
"The coaching staff have spent a lot of time trying to come up with the ideal training-camp schedule," added Sharp.
"Personally, I'm delighted with the look of it. There's a good mix of the key areas we'll need to work on and I know the boys are excited about embarking on an exercise of this nature.
"I'm also sure they'll be highly impressed by the standard of the facilities at their disposal.
"The standard of the playing fields at Ripon is exceptional, which may be down to the fact that there are very few games played there.
"It should guarantee we can get on with some high-quality, intensive work in conditions that will mirror those at the start of Super League.
"That obviously isn't the case with the training being undertaken by our rivals who are abroad!"
Part of Sharp's skills work will be spent on preparing his side for the pre-season clash against Castleford Tigers at the McAlpine Stadium on Friday, January 30 (7.30).
After that comes the Francis Cummins testimonial clash with Leeds at Headingley on Sunday, February 8 (3.00).
