SAINTS will come face-to-face with one of club's popular recently departed past players on Thursday night when they run out at Huddersfield Giants.

Kevin Naiqama - who won the Harry Sunderland Award for his two-try salvo in the 2021 Grand Final in his last appearance for Saints - before returning to Australia.

But after a year playing with Sydney Roosters in the NRL, the Fiji test skipper was persuaded back to England and Super League.

His return suprised plenty at Saints - where he won three consecutive Super League titles - but nevertheless Saints coach Paul Wellens is looking forward to meeting him again.

Wellens said: “When Kev decided to go back to Australia we thought we had seen the last of him.

“Kev is a brilliant guy and was a very well-liked member of the group. He was also an integral part of the success we had.

“It’ll be great to catch up with Kevin - he’s obviously a lovely guy but hopefully he does not have too much success on Thursday."

Huddersfield are a tough team to face - given they are the sort of side that kicks into the corner and makes sides work hard to get out of tight spots.

Wellens said: “They are a very attritional and workmanlike side - and they are as patient a side that there is in Super League, they are happy to wait and stay in the set-for-set grind for as long as possible.

“It is commendable when a team commits to playing that way and we are quite similar ourselves - and it makes for a tough game in that respect."