FORMER coach Steve Deakin is tipping the Giants to beat French club Pia by 50 points in Sunday's McAlpine Powergen Challenge Cup fourth-round clash (3.00).

Deakin was Huddersfield No2 to Tony Smith last season before moving to France to take control of Union Treiziste Catalane.

His new club were tipped by many to take the French League title, and they travel to Castleford in round four on Saturday after pulling off a shock win at Hull KR.

But earlier this season they were beaten 44-26 by Pia in the domestic competition to underline the potential threat of the Giants' opponents.

Yet Deakin remains convinced that coach Jon Sharp's side will prove far too strong when it comes to the crunch.

"Pia will give it a good go, and if things go for them early on they could cause Huddersfield some problems," predicted Deakin.

"In the end, however, I fully expect the Giants to come through and win by about 50.

"Pia will struggle with the pace of the game and there's no way they'll be able to match the intensity of a Super League side.

"In France, they are allowed to slow the ball down, but with Robert Connolly refereeing Sunday's game they won't be allowed to get away with that.

"As a result, the Giants should have a field day around the rucks and once they get the ball out wide I can see Pia having real problems. But I'm sure Huddersfield don't need me to tell them that.

"I know they've already got hold of a couple of Pia match videos, and Jon Sharp is a smart enough coach to have worked out a highly effective strategy to beat them.

"I suppose my prediction may not prove to be spot-on, but with Jon at the helm and the quality of players at his disposal I would be very surprised if I was some way off the mark."

Yet even though Deakin is giving the Donkeys (Pia's nickname) little chance of winning, he does feel they will give the Giants a useful work-out.

In player-coach Craig Field and back-rower Jim Serdaris they boast two players with a wealth of Australian NRL experience, while full-back Craig West has played for Eastern Suburbs.

Tom O'Reilly, who has figured in England with Warrington in Super League and was on Sheffield Eagles' books last year, will also be keen to make an impact back in this country.

And they will be supported by a number of French internationals in Maxime Greseque, Lawrence Raleigh, Florian Chaudet and Sebastien Terrado.

"Pia do have a good kicking game, based around Field," added Deakin.

"That was emphasised in their game against us when we were forced to drop-put from under our own posts seven times.

"Greseque is a pretty sharp scrum half who will need to be watched at all times, while O'Reilly is reliable and should be refreshed after returning from injury.

"Then they've got the likes of the vastly experienced Serdaris, who no longer manages to play a full game but is very effective when he's on.

"And as a team they run good lines, although they won't have the same good shape as the Giants.

"There's no question Pia will be looking forward to visiting Huddersfield, particularly as they know they have nothing to lose.

"I think they will impress everyone with their enthusiasm and commitment.

"But in the end that won't be enough."

FLYERS officials are urging those fans who have still to snap up their Super League travel pass to buy them as quickly as possible.

The coach ticket covers all 14 away games and costs £91 for adults and £79 for Under 12s.

And with the first trip being to Widnes next Friday, time to buy passes is obviously running out. They can be ordered by contacting 01484 300648.

Meanwhile, the Giants' Squadbuilder Fund cabaret night which was due to take place at Deighton WMC tomorrow will now be held at the same venue on Thursday, April 1.