BIG MATCH PREVIEW - Huddesfield Giants V Salford Red Devils

Salford Red Devils travel to Huddesfield Giants this Bank Holiday Monday looking to get back to wining ways, Dan Robinson takes us though the teams, the stats and where the battle will be won and lost

Key Battles

Ryan Brierley v Michael Dobson

The battle of the scrum halves will be very important in Mondays fixture. Will youth win in Ryan Brierley or will Michael Dobson be the general we all know he can be. Ryan Brierley's move from Leigh to the Giants was no shock as there half back options have suffered this season so far. With the loss of Robinson (retired) and Ellis to injury Brierley will certainly look to cement the 7 spot in the Giants team. Although he is a young halfback he has a vast amount of experience in the game having been a key player in Leigh's recent successes. Playing against the team he supports on Monday will he look to make a good impression on the Giants fans

Michael Dobson has been a bit hit and miss for me so far this season. Has has had some fantastic performances against Saints and Castleford but seems to have lost his way since the partnership of him andRob Lui has been broken with a lengthy lay off for Lui. Can Dobson step up from a disappointing performance on Friday and lead us around the park and get the 2 points on offer come Monday

Craig Huby v George Griffin

Craig Huby has been a good addition to the Huddesfield giants since his arrival from Castleford. The no nonsense powerful forward takes a few players to bring him down and also has a great offloading side to his game. Our middle will certainly have there hands full at the John Smith Stadium if this man gets on the front foot.

George Griffin has been a revelation this season. Not really known for his leadership quality he has really stood up and been counted with some strong performance and a couple of tries to his name. He will need to have a really solid performance on Monday to match the Giants pack to make sure we get on the front foot.

Danny Brough V Gaz O'Brien

Danny Brough is by far the person the Giants miss the most when he's not in the team. When he has a good game the Giants normally come out winners and by a good margin. He is probably one of the best kickers in general play there has ever been in super league and if we can keep him quiet like we did last season at the Giants we will have a great chance to get the 2 points.
The main story with O'Brien leading into the game is will he play at full back or at stand off. This season he has been outstanding at full back for the Red Devils but hasn't really stepped up to the stand off role since Rob Lui has been injured. With Tommy Lee possibly out for Monday O'Brien may find himself covering both positions in the game at full back and Stand off. Let's hope he can help Dobson and boss the team around the park.

Stats

Both Teams are full of potential game winners and try scorers. The absence of Greg Johnson for Salford will be a big blow but with Josh Griffin and Junior Sau still a threat in attack the Huddesfield Giants will need to be on top defensively to keep Salford at bay.

Jemaine Mcgillvary is Huddesfields  most dangerous try scorer, with pace and power he will test the Salford defence all game, with Jake Connor and Larn Patrick both good try scorers the Red Devils will need to marshal the Huddesfield attack for the full 80 minutes.

The 2nd game over Easter is always a difficult one for the players physically, this means the battle for  territory will be very important. Salfords top meter maker Jusin Carney will again be looking to make big inroads into the Huddesfield  defence. Josh Griffin and Jones will also provide go forward for the Red Devils.

Huddesfield are a team full of big  strong athletes and  Salford will need to stop the go forward of Sam Rapira and Leroy Cudjoe if they are to put Huddesfield on the back  foot.

Defence is always important in any game. Salford will be  without Tommy Lee  and his absence will be a big Loss for the Red Devils. George Griffin and Craig Kopczak are a solid foundation for a defence effort to be built on by the Reds.

Huddesfields Ryan Hinchcliffe and U Ta'ai are the back bone to the Huddesfields defencive effort. Both Strong in this area Salford will need to find a way of breaking them down if they are to breach the Huddesfield defence.

Squad

With 2 games in quick succession and injuries beginning to hurt the Salford Red Devils Ian Watson has a decision to me made regarding selection. Tommy Lee and Greg Johnson are both top performers for the Red Devils and their absence leaves a big hole in Salfords starting 13.

We wait to see who Ian  Watson picks but  for now here is Salfords and Huddesfields squad  for bank holiday Monday.

Don't forget to tune in to our easter special  on Saturday to talk about the Huddefield game and our big interview with Neil Blackburn from the Salford Red Devils Foundation about their big Rugby festival against Leeds in a few weeks time.