RETURNING Giants prop Paul Jackson has admitted he has never been worked so hard in pre-season training.
The 26-year-old today completed his first full week back at the club where he began his professional career.
During an incredibly tough first week under new Head of Athletic Performance Geoff Evans, the squad have completed tests of strength, speed and endurance.
Those included hill runs, heavy weight sessions, intensive sprint training and swimming 60 lengths of the Galpharm pool.
As a result, Jackson and his teammates have described the week as a real baptism of fire, although no-one has been for complaining.
"I think I speak for everyone when I say that the start of pre-season training has never been tougher," said Jackson, who signed from Castleford Tigers two weeks ago.
"All our bodies are feeling really sore right now, but in a strange sort of way we've all enjoyed every single minute of it.
"We know that the harder Geoff works us now, the better shape we'll be in further down the track. We'll reap the rewards later."
Jackson left the Giants in 1998 after being told he did not fit in with the then coach Malcolm Reilly's Super League plans.
And he admits the club has altered out of all recognition.
"The facilities here now are light years ahead of what they were six years ago," he added.
"The set-up is brilliant."
