Airlie Bird’s Nest previews tomorrow’s Super League Round One clash between Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants as the new season gets underway.

The Black & Whites

Lee Radford has named a strong squad to face the Giants, albeit featuring some notable absentees. Liam Watts and Carlos Tuimavave miss out for, as of yet, unconfirmed reasons, although Watts was suffering with illness when he missed last weekend’s Catalans fixture.

Chris Green also misses out as he recovers from a closed season knock. However, there will be new (and old) faces for the Black & Whites. New signings Bureta Faraimo and Mickey Paea are named in the squad, alongside returning loanees Dean Hadley and Jordan Abdull.

Danny Houghton will make his 300th career appearance as he captains his side in a competitive fixture for the first time since being named Hull FC captain.

Hull FC: Jamie Shaul, Bureta Faraimo, Josh Griffin, Fetuli Talanoa, Albert Kelly, Marc Sneyd, Scott Taylor, Danny Houghton, Dean Hadley, Mark Minichiello, Josh Bowden, Jake Connor, Jordan Abdull, Danny Washbrook, Brad Fash, Sika Manu, Mickey Paea, Jansin Turgut, Masi Matongo.

The Opposition

Huddersfield coach Rick Stone is hampered by the loss of Leroy Cudjoe and Alex Mellor, however Jermaine McGillvary is named in the squad despite being named as an injury doubt earlier this week.

The biggest boost for the Giants is the inclusion of former NRL full-back Jake Mamo. Out of action since last June with injury, he scored 12 tries in 9 appearances before his season was cut short, and will be hoping to continue that form into 2018.

Jordan Rankin, Jordan Turner and Danny Brough will all go up against their former club.

Huddersfield: Danny Brough, Paul Clough, Dale Ferguson, Lee Gaskell, Ryan Hunchcliffe. Sebastine Ikahihifo, Michael Lawrence, Kruise Leeming, Jake Mamo, Jermaine McGillvary, Darnell McIntosh, Aaron Murphy, Adam O’Brien, Jordan Rankin, Oliver Robertsm Daniel Smith, Ukuma Ta’ai, Jordan Turner, Adam Walne.

Ones To Watch

Hull FC: Bureta Faraimo

The so-called ‘like-for-like’ replacement for Mahe Fonua will almost definitely start on the wing for the Black & Whites tomorrow night. And he’s already shown that he possesses the similar qualities of his predecessor.

Faraimo had a stormer of a game against the Catalan Dragons. In fact, in his very first run with the ball he put Paul Aiton firmly on his backside! He looks the part, and he’ll be keen to show he can do it on the big stage on Thursday night.

Huddersfield: Jake Mamo

Out of action for the last 9 months, Mamo will be keen to make his mark on the Giants squad again this year. As previously mentioned, his try scoring efforts was impressive before injury in 2017, and he could be the key man for Huddersfield this year.

With the likes of Jermaine McGillvary, Jordan Turner, Aaron Murphy and Jordan Rankin around him, the Giants do have a strong back line and in attack are always threatening. Mamo could be the go-to man tomorrow, and Hull’s defense will have a job on their hands to stop him.

Predicition

The first round is always the hardest to predict. Neither team will be at full fitness just yet, and the game could go either way. However, it’s still not confirmed whether or not Jermaine McGillvary will feature for the Giants tomorrow. If not, that’s a huge loss for the visitors and will seriously hinder their chances of picking up a win.

The Giants showed some quality during spells last season, but Hull, backed by a big crowd at the KCOM Stadium, should get them over the line for the two points.

Hull FC by 18.