GIANTS officials today moved to defuse the row over Ryan Hudson's arrest in Portugal.

Club managing director Richard Thewlis insisted that Hudson's arrest on a night out with Giants players was not serious.

The club insist Hudson is not a Huddersfield Giants player until his drugs ban ends on January 20.

But he was unveiled as their fourth signing for Super League XII at a press conference at the Galpharm last September.

Thewlis said on the club website, www.giantsrl.com: "The conduct of the Giants players has been grossly overstated and inaccurately reported in the media and talk of drunken exploits could not be further from the truth.

"The reality is that their conduct has been exemplary.

"No Giants players have been arrested in Portugal.

"Neither the Huddersfield club nor any of its staff have paid any monies for any alleged damages to anyone in Portugal."

Hudson himself admitted through his solicitor he had been arrested and that charges were dropped when he attended a private meeting in the court building. He had paid for the cost of damage to cars.

Meanwhile, the Giants have taken Halifax back rower Sam Barlow on trial with a view to adding him to their Super League squad.

The 18-year-old England Academy international was one of the most sought-after young players in the game, having attracted interest from Bradford Bulls, Warrington and Salford.