Moment of truth is about to arrive as Giants tackle Bulls

THE talking is almost over - now it's time for action!

All the noises coming out of the Huddersfield camp since the start of pre-season training late last year suggest the Giants have never been in better shape.

But on Sunday fans will have the chance to see for themselves when the Giants travel to Odsal to take on the might of Bradford Bulls (3.00).

It's bound to be a massive test for coach Jon Sharp and his squad.

But that's just the test Sharp believes his players need right now.

As the Giants' only major pre-season run-out, it's a vital 80 minutes for all of his players.

This is their one chance to stake a serious claim for a place in the side for the trip to Leigh Centurions for the Super League X opener on Saturday, February 12.

And Sharp knows that should bring out the very best in all 21 players.

"The boys are ready for a game," declared Sharp.

"You can tell how much they've been looking forward to this match by their attitude to training this week.

"They've been really aggressive and it's as if they're a caged animal waiting to be released.

"But they also know there's a lot at stake this weekend.

"They know they will be facing a Bradford Bulls side also keen to make a very big impression.

"For both sides this is the final warm-up game before the start of the season, so there's a lot to play for.

"This is the big chance for players to catch their coach's eye."

A key aim of Sunday's game is for Sharp to take a close look at the many new combinations he intends using throughout the 2005 campaign.

Those will include a new half-back partnership, with Chris Thorman expected to play at stand-off alongside either Stanley Gene or Paul March.

Both men are guaranteed to spend some part of the match working with Thorman, although many other combinations will also be put to the test.

"I'm not prepared to reveal my plans at this stage," added Sharp.

"But I'm sure that if the new combinations prove a real success, they will immediately become crystal clear."

Bradford Bulls: Lynch, Meyers, Pryce (L), Pryce (K), Reardon, Pratt, Deacon, Johnson, Harris, Peacock, Fielden, Smith, Paul, Radford, Parker, Langley, Tonks, Cook, Atkins, Ferres.

Huddersfield Giants:Reilly, O'Hare, Evans, St Hilaire, Donlan, Thorman, March, Slicker, Drew, Gannon, Nero, Roarty, Gene, Jones, Penkywicz, Crabtree, Jackson, Smith, Grayshon, White, Morrison.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Mirfield).