Sam Rapira may be the headline Huddersfield Giants act.

But there will be no lack of blossoming professional rugby league talent around him when the Super League club go head-to-head with Championship club Halifax at The Shay on Sunday.

As well as the likes of utility back Jake Connor, prop Josh Johnson, hooker Kruise Leeming and full-back Jared Simpson, who have already shown they have what it takes to step successfully onto a Super League stage, head coach Paul Anderson is set to unleash some of the club’s youngest rising stars.

Included in that group will be Matty English, Izaac Farrell and Jon-Luke Kirkby, hot on the heels of being named in the England Youth squad.

There are also the likes of Nathan Mason, Tyler Dickinson, Oli Roberts and Mikey Wood – who had a successful spell on loan at Halifax towards the end of last season – chomping at the bit to prove they should be given more of a chance at senior level.

All in all, there’s a fair amount for Huddersfield fans to look forward to this weekend.

“There’s bound to be a lot of interest in how Sam Rapira goes,” said Anderson, who has been full of praise for the work head physio Alistair McFarland and conditioning chief John Noonan have done in getting the former New Zealand Test prop in such excellent shape for the start of the campaign.

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“He’s not played that much over the past 12 months, so it’ll be good to get him out there and see him getting knocked about a bit. It’s just what he needs right now.

“Sam’s not missed a training session since he’s joined us and looks in excellent physical shape.

“We obviously expect him to make a big impression in what won’t be a long spell for him out on the field this weekend, but I know there are a lot of others in this squad who are capable of doing a very good job for us.

“Although we may be fielding some of our younger end Super League players and some of our Year two and three Under 19s, they’re no mugs. I know how much potential they have.”

Halifax coach Richard Marshall will also be fielding a squad that’s far from at full strength, with around 10 senior players unavailable due to injury niggles or post-season surgery.

But Anderson still knows they’ll be strong opposition.

“Richard should be fielding a strong starting line-up,” added Anderson.

“And that’ll be good for our boys.

“But, at the end of the day, I’m more interested in us and what we do.

“I’m also hoping we get a decent day and the weather stays fine. The last thing we want is for the weather to ruin things for us.”

Huddersfield Giants: Kruise Leeming, Sam Rapira, Josh Johnson, Liam Johnson, Oli Roberts, Mikey Wood, Tyler Dickinson, Jared Simpson, Macauley Hallett, Darnell McIntosh, Sam Wood, Harry Woollard, Jake Connor, Izaac Farrell, Nathan Mason, Billy Hayes, Matty English, Jack Etchells, Jon-Luke Kirby