HUDDERSFIELD Giants are to spend a week with the Army - as part of their pre-season Super League training.

All 25 members of the senior squad, as well as head coach Jon Sharp and his backroom staff, are going to the Deverell Barracks at Ripon for an intensive five-day work-out after Christmas.

The Giants depart on Monday, January 19 and return on Friday, January 23, with Sharp having already warned his players they will be in for a tough time.

Sharp continues to be delighted with the way his squad are preparing for Super League IX.

But he believes the week away is vital if they are to start the new campaign in the best possible shape.

"I've always felt going away on a training camp is vital and has a massive bearing on how a side performs in the season," said Sharp.

"I've got the players at my disposal for 24 hours a day and it gives you the opportunity to work on things in a far more intense environment.

"The players have already been told they will be worked hard, and they've responded positively to that.

"The week will be about 90% work and 10% team bonding, which I feel is the perfect mix.

"When we get back we'll have a week before the warm-up game at home to Castleford, when I hope we'll see some of the work starting to pay off."

Sharp admits the Army camp is basic, but does boast superb sporting facilities.

As well as having a number of flat and neat sports pitches which have hardly been used, the Giants will have a sports hall, weight training facility and video room at their disposal.

On top of that they do, of course, have living quarters with kitchen facilities.

"For what we require it's perfect," added Sharp.

"It's got the bare essentials, nothing lavish, which means we can get on with our work with the minimum of fuss.

"If the weather's not good we've got indoor facilities on site. It really is ideal, and I have to say the Army couldn't have been more helpful sorting us out. I think we could have dropped lucky here."

Sharp, meanwhile, has also admitted his first impressions of new Australian arrival Chris Nero have been very positive.

The 22-year-old back-rower or centre jetted in from Australia on Thursday after a 32-hour journey, but by Friday was training as hard as all of his new teammates.

"I obviously won't get too carried away at this stage, but my first impressions are positive," he continued.

"He's got a fair amount of size and physical presence to him and looks very athletic.

"But the real proof will obviously come when he pulls on the shirt for the first time."