Huddersfield Giants have appointed Jim Lenihan as their new head coach after Luke Robinson was sacked on March 22. Robinson left following a run of five straight defeats to begin the Super League season; Liam Finn then took charge for five further league fixtures before the new appointment.
The 52-year-old Lenihan, who played 21 times for Huddersfield in 1999, joins the club from Australia where he had been head coach of the Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup. He previously served as an assistant coach at NRL side Gold Coast Titans from 2019 to 2025 and briefly acted as interim head coach in 2023.
A club statement said Lenihan has signed a long-term contract and that his vision for the team aligned with the club’s new “Giants Unleashed” era; the appointment is subject to visa clearance. The club also said they received strong applications and judged Lenihan the best fit to lead their rebuild.
Liam Finn had put himself in contention by winning his first two games in charge, against Wigan and York, but the side then suffered heavy defeats to Leeds, Leigh and Warrington. Former Hull FC boss John Cartwright has also been linked with the Huddersfield job after his departure from his previous role in April.
Lenihan’s first match in charge will be at home to St Helens on Thursday 14 May, a fixture that will be shown live on Sky Sports.
2026 Super League – key dates and what to watch for:
– Super League in Paris: Sat 6 June — Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors (6.30pm UK)
– Magic Weekend: 4–5 July
– Rivals Round reversed: 23–26 July
– Elimination play-offs: 19–20 September
– Play-off semi-finals: 26–27 September
– Grand Final: 3 October at Old Trafford
Sky Sports will again show every Super League game live this season, with two exclusive live matches each round and additional fixtures available via Sky Sports+.