Joe Wardle is aiming to extend the longest tryscoring run in Super League this weekend.
The in-form centre currently tops the charts with a try in the Giants’ last five top-flight clashes (1-1-1-2-1), and another score in Sunday’s home clash against Widnes Vikings would once again underline his importance to the side.
But if the explosive 22-year-old three-quarter does fail to cross the whitewash this weekend, teammate Jermaine McGillvary could take full advantage.
The Huddersfield winger is second in Super League’s run list with tries in his last three (3-2-1) and is poised to take over at the top if he scored again and Wardle draws a blank.
Sunday’s game would also be significant for Giants back-row forward Michael Lawrence, who will make his 150th appearance for his hometown club (between 2007-2014) if he gets the nod to play.
He's a player who needs no introduction to Giants fans.
Former Huddersfield captain Kevin Brown has been the key to what has been a positive season for Widnes Vikings.
As a result, many believe the influential stand-off deserves an England re-call for this autumn’s Four Nations competition Down Under.
But whether he does earn back a spot or not, Brown has had a fantastic 2014, and it’s widely acknowledged that if he plays well, Widnes play well.
Former Wigan and Great Britain back-rower Denis Betts was always a player who gave 100%.
And he’s managed to instil that attitude into all the players under his coaching control at Widnes Vikings.
Despite not being one of Super League’s big spenders, Betts has got his Vikings to the brink of the play-offs for the first time.
That’s no mean feat given the fact Widnes finished fifth bottom last season – and that’s progress!
Can Widnes find the right response to their massive Challenge Cup semi-final disappointment?
That’s the big question facing the Vikings as they head to Huddersfield this weekend, just a week after suffering their 28-6 Cup defeat at the hands of in-form Castleford Tigers.
It was the nature of the defeat that hit Widnes the hardest, with the Tigers dominating from start to finish to shatter the Vikings’ Wembley final dreams.
But head coach Denis Betts’ men are still firmly involved in the Super League play-off hunt and know victory over the Giants is vital to keep those hopes alive.
And they’ll head to the John Smith’s Stadium knowing they face a side they’re capable of beating.
That was a fact borne out in round three of this season’s competition, when Widnes secured a thoroughly-deserved 22-20 triumph at the Select Security Stadium on February 28.
It was one of 11 League wins for Widnes so far this year, earning them eighth in the table with four rounds of the regular season remaining.
And with ninth-placed Hull KR three points behind, the Vikings will be on the verge of securing a play-off spot for the very first time if they complete the double over the Giants.
