Huddersfield Giants coach Ian Watson 'flattered' by NRL interest

Ian Watson is “flattered” by reported NRL interest in his services but insists he still has a job to do at Huddersfield Giants. The ex-Great Britain assistant was recently linked Down Under with the vacancies at Wests Tigers and Canterbury Bulldogs.

It is perhaps no surprise Watson’s name has cropped up given the way he took Salford Red Devils to two major finals and then started the transformation at Giants. They have just played their first Challenge Cup final in 13 years - narrowly losing out to Wigan - and are handily sat in Super League’s top-four.

Watson, 45, said: “My brother lives in Australia and sent me a picture of that report! I do want to go across there eventually. I’d love to go across there and do what Mal Reilly did a long time ago (win Grand Final for Newcastle Knights in 1997)

Read More: Leeds Rhinos' shocking discipline and half-back issue compound problems as gap to St Helens increases

“But at the moment I’ve got a big project at Huddersfield. I came here to try and create a little bit of a legacy and a team that would be consistently up there when I eventually do leave. I want a team that competes for trophies and a youth system that is consistently good. We knew the youth system was already good but we want that alignment through all the club.

“Huddersfield have shown real faith in me to try and deliver that and obviously it’s going in the right direction. But there’s still a lot of work to be done here.”

Asked if he was flattered by the reported interest, Watson added: “It’s nice. It’s just paper talk until someone comes and actually speaks to you.

“But one of the biggest things I took out of it is that it's good that they’re starting to speak about English coaches as it’s always the other way -