FORMER Giants chief Tony Smith admits it will be an honour to be part of Paul Reilly's testimonial match.

Huddersfield travel to Headingley to face Leeds on Friday (8.00) in a joint benefit game for Reilly and Rhinos' Huddersfield-born Great Britain centre Keith Senior.

It's an important game for both clubs, with the new Super League season getting under way early next month.

But Leeds head coach Smith also knows it will be an important - and emotional night - for Reilly.

"It's terrific Paul's been granted this game and I'm honoured to be playing a small part in it," said Smith, who was Reilly's coach for three years (from 2001 to 2003).

"I've always had a lot of time for Paul and it was a pleasure to coach him.

"As everyone knows, he wears his heart on his sleeve and will always give 100%. A coach can't ask any more of a player than that.

"But he was also a good player, as well as being a fully committed one.

"When we got back into Super League in 2003, I genuinely believed Paul was as good as any full-back in the competition and that he deserved international recognition.

"He did eventually get that with England, but I do believe he deserved more."