EORL CRABTREE knows Giants coach Nathan Brown won’t allow his standards to drop just because tomorrow’s pre-season clash against Hull KR is to celebrate his testimonial.

The England prop will be taking centre stage at the Galpharm Stadium when the two Super League rivals do battle in a match to mark Crabtree’s 10 years at his hometown club.

But the 28-year-old is well aware that if he doesn’t produce a rock-solid display against the Robins he’ll get little sympathy off his boss.

“This may be classed as ‘my’ game, but I’m the first to accept that it’s also vitally important in terms of the build-up to the start of the Super League season,” said Crabtree, who will be joined in the Giants line-up by new big Australia Test signing Luke O’Donnell for the first time.

“It’s the first chance Browny has had to look at his senior players in the competitive environment, and if anyone doesn’t come up to the scratch, they could immediately go down the pecking order.

“And no-one wants to come away from the Hull KR game tomorrow with a question mark hanging over their performance, and that includes me.

“It doesn’t matter whether this game tomorrow is for my testimonial or not, it’s how I play that Browny’s interested in.

“If we want to play in the first League game of the season, we all know a strong performance this weekend is crucial.”

That’s also the case for opponents Hull KR, who will also be fielding their strongest available side and will be desperate to put down a marker ahead of the new campaign.

“Tomorrow is just as important to Hull KR as it is for us, and I’m looking forward to welcoming them here,” added Crabtree, who tasted his first major senior success against the Robins when the Giants beat them 32-6 in the Buddies Cup final at Featherstone in 2001.

“It’ll be a really good test for us because Rovers, like ourselves, are looking for an even bigger year this year.

“They’ve recruited well and will give a couple of their new signings a first run-out tomorrow, so I hope their fans come out in force.

“I’m obviously hoping for a decent crowd and, with the hospitality boxes having been sold out, it’s looking pretty positive. Rugby league fans are absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to see them again tomorrow.”

Huddersfield Giants: Grix, Lawrence, Cudjoe, Gilmour, D Hodgson, Brown, Brough, Crabtree, D Griffin, O‘Donnell, Fa’alogo, Faiumu, Mason, Raleigh, Patrick, Horne, McGillvary, Molloy, Fairbank, J Griffin, Carlile, E Hodgson, Cording, McNally, Wardle.

Hul KR: Briscoe, Fox, Welham, Webster, Green, Dobson, Fisher, Clinton, Newton, Galea, Murrell, Wheeldon, Cook, Hodgson, Latus, Taylor, Hal, Vella, Beaumont, Cockayne.

Referee: Thierry Alibert.