NEW signing Lee Gilmour is looking forward to joining the Giants to help erase the memory of St Helens’ Grand Final defeat to Leeds Rhinos.

The 31-year-old Great Britain back-row forward was unable to find the dream ending to his glittering six years at Knowsley Road as Saints slumped to defeat at Old Trafford in Super League’s biggest game of the season.

But the Dewsbury-based Gilmour is determined to put his last-game heartache behind him and relish the challenge of the next two years at the Galpharm Stadium.

"This was obviously not the way I wanted my time at Saints to end," admitted Gilmour.

"And it certainly won’t take the gloss off what I think about the club, the fans and the players. I’ve had some fantastic times here.

"I’m sure the next few days are going to be pretty tough trying to get over Saturday’s defeat and the fact I’m no longer going to be a St Helens player.

"But, at the same time, I’m already really looking forward to coming to Huddersfield.

"That’s something that excites me and, hopefully, will help me get over this disappointment.

"Everyone knows how pleased I am about moving there, because it’s a great club with some great players, and it’s a great new challenge for me.

"But for the next few days I’m going to stay in the company of my Saints mates and then have a couple of weeks off before I start training again. By then, I hope to have got the Grand Final defeat fully out of my system."

Gilmour knows, however, the nature of the defeat could be the hardest thing to overcome.

After dominating the opening 30 minutes to lead 8-0 through Kyle Eastmond’s try and two goals, Saints were unable to take full advantage.

But it was Leeds centre Lee Smith’s controversial second try with eight minutes remaining when the Rhinos were just a point ahead that left Gilmour will the nastiest taste in his mouth.

"Lee Smith was definitely offside, there’s no doubt about it," he added.

"There was clearly more than enough doubt for the try not to be given, but for some reason the video referee did.

"That was tough to take, and it doesn’t go down too well to know you’ve lost the game on a dodgy decision like that.

"But there’s nothing you can do about it. That’s rugby, and you’ve just got to get on with it. And, at the same time, we really shouldn’t have made it come to that.

"I thought we really controlled the game in the first half and should have opened up a bigger lead. But by half-time Leeds had got it back to 8-8 after we’d conceded two poor tries.

"Then they played smart at the second half to get the drop goal to edge ahead and we just didn’t react in the way we should have.

"Overall, it’s a very disappointing way to finish my time here.

"We’ve done well over the past few years in the Challenge Cup, but it’s not been the case in Super League.

"When you think about the quality of the players we have at the club, I do find it hard to take when I think I’ve only collected one winner’s ring in the time I’ve been here."

In contrast, it was the ideal finale for Smith, who scored two crucial tries in his last game before he prepares to switch codes with Wasps.

Matt Diskin also scored for Leeds, while Kevin Sinfield landed two goals and a drop goal, with Rob Burrow also notching a one-pointer.