IN-FORM Huddersfield Giants have a clean bill of health from Friday’s magnificent 22-8 Super League triumph at Wigan.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean head coach Nathan Brown will field an unchanged side for Saturday’s Challenge Cup fourth-round trip to Harlequins.
The Giants chief has revealed the thinking behind some of his selections is already being influenced by the tough Easter programme just around the corner.
That was one of the reasons why in-form prop Paul Jackson was rested against the Warriors, and why Leroy Cudjoe and Shaun Lunt – 18th and 19th men at Wigan – didn’t instead feature for the Reserves the following day.
Huddersfield follow up next weekend’s clash in the capital with the home game against Celtic Crusaders six days later (Good Friday, April 10) and then travel to Hull KR on Easter Monday.
And Brown will continue to keep a close eye on the health of his players as the punishing schedule unfolds.
“It was obviously good to get the win at Wigan, and good to come through the game relatively unscathed,” he said.
“Obviously, there are some bumps and bruises, because it was a tough game against very reasonable opposition.
“But, overall, we look in pretty decent shape, and we’ve again got some tough decisions to make on the selection front.
“And the fact we’re approaching a busy time could have a bearing.
"That was the main thinking behind Jacko not playing the other night.
"We thought it would be good to give him a week off, because he’d played in all the games up to then.
"It’s good to know we should have some like him fresh for the busy Easter period to come."
Star hooker Scott Moore had been an initial concern after the Wigan game when he was caught late and high by Harrison Hansen.
But Brown fully expects him to be involved against Quins.
"He couldn’t remember too much about the game when he came off," added Brown. "But I would be very surprised if he doesn’t turn up for training today as bubbly as ever."
