Paul Anderson is predicting the battle for Huddersfield Giants’ second-row supremacy is about to get fierce.

Brett Ferres and Jack Hughes would appear to be in pole position to have the opening Super League shot in the vital pack position after being handed the No11 and No12 shirts for 2015.

But with Ukuma Ta’ai finally getting a full pre-season with Huddersfield under his belt, Anderson believes the Tongan World Cup star may have something to say about that.

“We now have three genuine strike back-row forwards in Brett Ferres, Jack Hughes and Ukuma Ta’ai,” said Anderson.

“And it’s up to them to decide who gets to play.

“Just because Brett and Jack have the starting numbers it doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed a start, particularly with Ukuma having made such a positive impression in pre-season.

“Ukuma has now learned after his first two years here that he can’t afford to be out of shape.

“When he came back this time around to start his first full pre-season with us he’s carried on from where he left off at the end of last season.

“He’s looking fitter and stronger than he ever has before, and he’s killing it in every training session we have.

“That competition in the back row is one we’re all looking forward to seeing this year.”