How Huddersfield could line-up in 2022

Huddersfield have been busy in the off-season with the recruitment of Chris Hill, Tui Lolohea, Theo Fages and Nathan Mason.

They have released the likes of Aidan Sezer, Sam Wood, Lee Gaskell, Kenny Edwards, Joe Wardle and Darnell McIntosh, but still look to remain a strong squad under Ian Watson.

Here’s how they could look in 2022:

1 Will Pryce

Will Pryce made 13 appearances in a breakthrough year at Huddersfield last season, scoring six tries and assisting five more. Son of former England and Great Britain international Leon Pryce, the 18-year-old made his debut against Catalans in July. He will be competing with Jamaica international Ashton Golding for the number one spot next year.

2 Jermaine McGillvary

Winger Jermaine McGillvary scored 11 tries in 16 Super League appearances last season. The 33-year-old will be looking for an impressive season in hopes of earning a spot in Shaun Wane’s England squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.

3 Jake Wardle

Jake Wardle made his Super League debut for Huddersfield in 2016 against Catalans. His current contract with the club runs until the end of the 2023 season. He made 18 appearances in 2021, scoring six tries.

READ: Jake Wardle on: Huddersfield’s new era, competition for places & the World Cup

4 Ricky Leutele

Ricky Leutele joined Huddersfield ahead of the 2021 season from Melbourne Storm. He made his first-team debut back in 2010 for Cronulla Sharks, and has also featured for Toronto. The centre has won seven caps for Samoa, and represented the Combined Nations All Stars in the mid-season test against England at Warrington.

5 Louis Senior

With the departure of Darnell McIntosh to Hull, Louis Senior may be promoted to a starting shirt in 2022. He wore shirt number 24 last season, and made 10 Super League appearances, scoring four tries.

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6 Tui Lolohea

Tui Lolohea joins former Salford boss Ian Watson at the John Smith’s Stadium on a two-year deal. The Tonga international made 20 appearances last season for the Red Devils, scoring four tries and assisting 18 more.

7 Theo Fages

Theo Fages is likely to link up with Lolohea in a brand-new half-back partnership at the Giants. The France international missed St Helens’ 2021 Grand Final triumph due to injury. He made just 10 appearances last season, but made 10 assists and scored twice. He also kicked one drop-goal.

8 Luke Yates

Luke Yates joined the club for an undisclosed fee ahead of the 2021 season from Salford, and signed a new three-year deal in September. He made 18 appearances last season, scoring twice.

9 Danny Levi

Another new face at Huddersfield next season, Danny Levi will be making the move from Down Under to join his new team-mates in pre-season. The New Zealand and Samoa international hooker joins on a two-year deal from Brisbane Broncos. He has also featured for Manly Sea Eagles, and made his first-team debut for Newcastle Knights in 2015.

10 Chris Hill

Chris Hill has made the switch to the Yorkshire side from Warrington on a two-year deal. The former Wolves captain will bring a wealth of experience to the side, having won 29 England caps and toured with the Lions in 2019, winning four caps. Hill won two Challenge Cups with Warrington and played in seven major finals including four Super League Grand Finals.

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11 Chris McQueen

Chris McQueen has represented Queensland and England in his career to date, having made his first-team debut for South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2009. He has since featured for Gold Coast Titans and Wests Tigers in the NRL, before moving to Huddersfield. He wore shirt number 17 in 2021, making 18 Super League appearances and scoring four tries.

12 Owen Trout

22-year-old Owen Trout wore shirt number 25 in 2021, and could be competing for a back-row shirt number with England international Joe Greenwood. Trout made 15 league appearances last season, scoring twice.

13 Josh Jones

Josh Jones looks to remain Huddersfield’s number 13 in 2022. The Great Britain international made the move from Hull ahead of the 2021 season, and made 22 Super League appearances, scoring three times.

Bench

With most of our lists so far, Huddersfield will have competition in the squad for a spot in the 17. Jack Cogger will be hoping for a place in the halves, while captain Michael Lawrence will also be in the mix. Nathan Mason will also be looking to work his way into the 17.

Here’s our take on the bench.

Bench: Ashton Golding, Michael Lawrence, Matty English, Sebastine Ikahihifo. 

READ MORE: How Hull KR could line-up in 2022