HUDDERSFIELD have been urged to play with more freedom tomorrow when they entertain Leicester Lions at Lockwood Park (3.00).

Coach Mark Sowerby’s side showed what they are capable of when they employ a more expansive game plan, running out to a 15-3 half-time lead against Loughborough Students seven days ago with some enterprising play.

That they were unable to maintain it was down to a combination of some aimless kicking and the superior fitness levels of a Students’ side, who have the luxury of virtually full-time training.

“After the poor run we have had, I was pleased to at least get two points last week,” admitted Sowerby.

“There were a lot of positives that came out of that first-half performance last week and I want us to play with a bit more freedom than we have in some of our recent matches.

“Leicester have a big set of forwards who we really struggled against in the second half of the match down at their place earlier in the season, so we need to buckle down tomorrow right from the start.”

Leading 9-3 at the interval at Leicester in December (two Chris Johnson penalties and a drop goal separating the sides), Huddersfield threw up the chance of three further penalty shots nearing half time, and ultimately paid the price as they were bossed up front in the second half.

Sowerby sends out the same pack who started last week’s game against Loughborough Students, the only change coming in the backs, where Matt Clarke moves into his more favoured position as outside centre in place of the unavailable James Mortimore, with Matt Johnson recalled onto the wing.

Leicester are currently fifth in National III North, and last week put 49 points past Preston Grasshoppers, so Field’s defence will also need to be on top form.

Huddersfield: Paxman (B); Shaw, Clarke, Paxman (L), Johnson (M); Johnson (C), Hinchliffe; McPhail, Davies, Stringwell, Harris, Rhodes, Jacobsz, Whitehead, Sharpe. Subs: Slater, Gough, Hinchliff, van Rooyen, Sharrock.