Ian Watson confirms forward set to leave Huddersfield as British middles test their worth in the transfer market

Huddersfield coach Ian Watson has confirmed that forward Jack Ashworth is likely to leave the club at the season’s end after receiving a good offer elsewhere.

The 27-year-old has made 25 appearances for the Giants since arriving from St Helens ahead of the 2021 season.

Ashworth is out of contract at the end of the season and Hull Live have linked him with a move to Hull FC for 2024.

Speaking in his weekly press conference, Watson confirmed that Ashworth would be likely leaving the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season to take up a good offer elsewhere, with there generally being a high demand for young British forwards at present.

“Yeah, we think he will be (leaving),” Watson said. “Jack has been really up front with us. He’s been here a couple of years now.

“Again, people are looking for British middles and obviously offering them good contracts so at this moment in time, it looks like Jack’s going to be going in a different direction which he feels is the right one for him and his family so we can only support that.

“Jack was in and around our periphery in our squad and sometimes they want to play week in, week out.

“They’ve got to balance out where they see themselves, whether they’re happy being in that kind of squad position or whether they want to guarantee a start really if you like.

“From what we are being told, that’s what’s being put on offer, that he’ll be in that 17, so it is what it is.”

Huddersfield forward Sam Hewitt returns to Wakefield on loan

Giants forward Sam Hewitt has linked up with Wakefield on a two-week loan. He has already spent time on loan with Trinity this season, making five appearances.

Watson said: “Sam has done a brilliant job for us and has gone really well.

“Chris (McQueen) was away for the Salford game and Sam was really good in that game in attack and defence.

“Obviously Chris is our starting front-rower so what we didn’t want Sam to do is go backwards.

“When we found out (Kelepi) Tanginoa had been injured, we spoke to Wakefield and they snapped our hands off basically to have him and they said he’d more of less go straight in, so it was a no-brainer for us rather than having him sat not playing.

“He would’ve been 18th or 19th man this week with Chris being fit and back, so the idea was to get him out and keep his development going.”

Huddersfield take on champions St Helens at Magic Weekend on Sunday, 2:15pm kick-off.

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