RISING Giants star Michael Lawrence will jet off to Australia today with the full backing of his Super League club.

The 18-year-old is set to miss Huddersfield’s next four games as he bids to help England’s Academy side secure a Test series triumph over their Australian counterparts.

Lawrence was also absent from the Giants side beaten at Leeds last Friday as he prepared for the trip Down Under.

But while his club coaches know he will be missed – Castleford Tigers prevented Joe Westerman going on the tour and Salford did likewise with Richard Myler because it was in the middle of the season – they believed it would have been wrong to stand in their player’s way.

“There’s no doubt we’ll miss Bruno (Lawrence),” said caretaker coach Keiron Purtill.

“He’s been outstanding for us all year. He’s been one of the club’s big success stories.

“However, in terms of his continued development, going on this tour will be massive for him.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and there’s no way we would stand in his way. That would be wrong.

“We had been tempted to play him against Leeds on Friday, but we didn’t want him to pick up an injury and miss the trip to Australia as a result.

“He goes on this tour with the club’s full blessing, because we know how much benefit it will be to him, and for the Giants.”

Magic make moves to Edinburgh – Page 42.