HUDDERSFIELD Giants head to Widnes tonight (8.00) knowing victory would take them to the top of Super League for the first time in their history.

It may be only the second weekend of the top-flight campaign and the Giants could remain the leaders for less than 24 hours.

But this is clearly uncharted territory for a McAlpine side who have spent the vast majority of their Super League life struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Giants head coach Jon Sharp has made every attempt to focus his players away from the thought of heading the country's premier rugby league competition.

Yet he is aware the prospect is something special.

"There's obviously a lot more for us to focus on tonight than simply going top," said Sharp.

"If we are fortunate enough to win, we'll happily talk about exactly what it means for the club. In fact, try stopping the boys!

"But first we've got to beat Widnes. That's the hard part.

"There's been a fair amount of talk in the media about how Widnes are one of the prime candidates for relegation this season.

"That's not a view that is shared inside the game.

"They have far too many quality players in their squad to be written off at this stage.

"Clearly Jules O'Neill is a man to watch, but all over the park they have players who are potential threats.

"We're prepared for them to come at us with all guns blazing, just like they did in their Challenge Cup tie at Wigan.

"So the key for us is to brace ourselves for an early onslaught, be patient and wait for our chance.

"We know with our main playmaker, Brandon Costin (ankle injury), being ruled out our task will be a little harder.

"But I have complete faith that Paul March and Stanley Gene will be able to take more of the lead, and that in the pack captain Darren Fleary will lead us by example."

Tonight's match is, of course, being played out in front of the Sky TV cameras to a national audience.

Sharp is looking at this extra exposure as the chance for the wider public to see what his Giants can do.

"Playing the match live on television always makes it an extra special occasion," he said.

"It usually helps bring the best out of the players, and I obviously hope that's the case with us. This is our chance to shine."