It’s been an eventful couple of weeks on the road for the Giants.

We managed to get back to some good form with a great win at Bradford where we managed to run in nine tries.

This great victory was followed by another good performance at Saint Helens, in which we narrowly lost a close, entertaining tie.

Unfortunately, I am currently out injured with a neck problem that has been niggling for a while.

Hopefully, it will settle down with some rest and I can get back on the field soon.

And I am not alone in the rehabilitation group at the moment. I’m currently joined in the 7.30am starts by Eorl Crabtree and David Fa’alogo.

Needless to say everyone is working hard to get back to full fitness ASAP!

However, it’s not all bad at the Giants at the moment, Jermaine McGillvary made his Super League debut in the Bradford game and capped his first appearance with two tries.

It’s great to see Jerry’s hard work pay off and see some real talent come through the system here in Huddersfield.

Other good news for the club was Shaun Lunt and Kevin Brown getting called into the England squad.

It was also great to see Kev have a good game on his international debut against France.

This international fixture is obviously used as a build-up to the Four Nations at the end of the season, and I think it’s important to have a game at this time.

Unfortunately, being against France, it was always going to be a one-sided affair, with much of the media questioning its validity as a real test at international level.

I have to agree that neither side involved in a 60-6 drubbing will see much benefit.

Many people, including ex-England coach Tony Smith, have made a case for a more competitive fixture against a team of Super League-based overseas players.

Apparently a stumbling block to this, is an issue with insurance for the players taking part as the club insurance policies only cover domestic games, but I can’t see this being too much of a stumbling block if the RFL really wanted it to happen.

This week I watched the second State of Origin tie, the passion and quality of game that was produced by the rivalry and desire to make the full international team was breathtaking.

I think the RFL could do much worse than pitting the England Probables (ie those players considered near certainties to be picked for England at the end of the year) against an England Possibles (ie any players left out of the England squad who are eligible to play).

I’m sure those England players left out of the official set-up would love the chance to stake their claim in a one-off match.

I’m also sure that like in State of Origin, sparks would fly!