HUDDERSFIELD Giants will host Grand Final champions Leeds Rhinos with no fear in the fifth round of the Tetley’s Challenge Cup.
The two in-form Super League sides will meet in the tie of the round at the John Smith’s Stadium over the weekend of May 11-12, with the clash already a favourite to be screened live by the BBC on the Saturday.
Both clubs could have been handed far easier games at this stage of the competition.
But with the Giants having won 32-8 at Headingley on March 8 this year and having completed the double over the Super League champions last season, coach Paul Anderson knows victory is achievable and a place in the quarter-finals of rugby league’s most famous knockout competition can be secured.
“It’s a great tie and one I’m sure everyone is looking forward to,” said Anderson, whose side beat Leeds 48-24 at Huddersfield on September 9 last season, despite having Luke O’Donnell controversially sent off after just 15 minutes.
“When you go into the draw all you can hope for is a home tie, and that’s what we’ve got.
“And a game against Leeds is a great opportunity for us to showcase our sport and put on a great and entertaining sporting spectacle.
“To win things you’ve got to beat champion teams, and that’s obviously what Leeds are.
“So when we play them in a couple of weeks, we’ll go out there determined to give everything we’ve got, because everyone knows there are no second chances when it comes to the Challenge Cup.”
Meanwhile, centre Joe Wardle, who suffered a heavy knock during Sunday’s 13-4 Cup win over Batley, is recovering well and could be fit for Saturday’s Super League clash at Catalan Dragons.
