Halifax Panthers confirm pre-season encounters with Huddersfield Giants and Oldham

First, his team will host an opposed training session against Huddersfield Giants at the Shay Stadium on Saturday March 6, behind closed doors.

Halifax will then travel to Bower Fold to face Oldham RLFC on March 13 in a pre-season friendly (4pm kick off) for their first game after 12 months out of action.

Grix said: "In recent times we have had a great relationship with the Giants and the opportunity for both sides to have a run against unfamiliar opposition is really beneficial, leading into a season where both clubs have made a number of changes.”

“Confirming the Giants' opposed session was closely followed by an invite from Chris Hamilton to go over to Oldham for a friendly and we were happy to take the offer.”

“After what has been a short and restricted pre-season, the opposed session with the Giants and the friendly with Oldham are very important for me to see where the lads are at in terms applying what we have practised on the training field and gain clarity on decisions around selection.”

“The lads have trained well and got on with the protocols in place, getting in early to get tested etc throughout pre-season. All of the squad will get an opportunity to impress in these sessions, so need to put their best foot forward as we look to finalise our preparation for the first competitive game against Batley in the Challenge Cup.”