Caretaker Coach Andy Kelly has urged his Huddersfield Giants side to go out and show their mettle against top-of-the-table Hull FC.

The sides could not meet in more contrasting circumstances at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The Airlie Birds are flying high in the league and cruised into a Challenge Cup semi-final slot, while the Giants are facing a battle for Super League survival in the Middle 8s and their last outing saw them ditched out of the game’s premier knockout competition 28-16 at home to West Yorkshire rivals Wakefield Trinity.

“Every game it is a chance to prove yourself and in this instance to redeem yourself,” said Kelly, who is expecting tonight’s to be his last game holding the first team reins.

“And I guess there is no greater challenge than to do that playing against a team who are operating at their highest capabilities at the moment.“

But there is no doubt that it is a big challenge for the boys. We certainly weren’t at out best in our last appearance.

“So there are a lot of things that we need to get out there and get right.

“But the players have been good this week, they have been honest and have taken responsibility for what happened against Wakefield and the players will be looking to make amends.”

However, three Giants players from that Wakefield defeat will not get that chance.

Full-back Scott Grix and centre Joe Wardle both face protracted lay-offs with knee injuries sustained in the cup game, while half back Danny Brough is suspended after picking up a one-match ban for a challenge on Wakefield’s Reece Lyne.

The only bonus for Kelly is that former New Zealand international prop Sam Rapira, who appeared to have suffered a serious shoulder injury against Wakefield, is fit and ready to face the league leaders.

“It doesn’t help when we lose members of the squad, but you have got to expect to get injuries in this game,” said Kelly.

“I must admit that when Sam came off against Wakefield we thought it was a dislocation or worse, but thankfully that wasn’t the case.

“He is available to play against Hull and that is a real bonus.

“With Joe the injury is not as acute as we first thought but, while that was a positive, he is still going to be back in the short term.

“As for Scott I don’t want to write him off just yet, but it is an injury that is going to take some time to fix.”