DELIGHTED Giants coach Jon Sharp has hailed the fitness of his players as they checked in for the start of pre-season training.

Preparations for Super League XIII will now begin to intensify as the countdown begins to the start of the new campaign in early February.

And after putting his players through their paces on the opening day, Sharp is confident his players can build on last season’s play-off achievements.

“The players have all spent the past month on their individual programmes, and it’s paid off,” reported Sharp.

“The first thing we did was test the fitness of the players and I’m delighted to say they all passed with flying colours.

“That bodes really well for the work that’s going to lie ahead.”