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Eorl Crabtree says he and his fellow Super League stars are ‘buzzing’ about the prospect of running out at the home of Newcastle United next Saturday and Sunday.

Six Super League games will take place at St James’ Park as Magic Weekend comes to the North East for the first time, moving north from Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

Crabtree, the Huddersfield and former England prop, scored the Giants’ winner at Castleford on Thursday, and summed up the excitement around the event.

He said: “I was absolutely buzzing when I heard about St James’ Park because, as a professional athlete, you want to play at the best stadiums and in front of the best crowds.

“Newcastle United being one of the biggest names in football has generated a lot of excitement within the game of rugby league, and it is a massive opportunity for us.

“I have had some great nights in Newcastle and been around the vicinity of the ground without actually making it inside, so it will be great to put that right and get out there on that field.”

Fans of all 12 clubs plus a significant number from the North East willconverge on the city’s soccer cathedral, Crabtree explaining: “It is a massive party weekend, but as players we unfortunately won’t get to sample that side of it!

“For the fans it is spectacular, and that is the beauty of Magic Weekend. It is right in the city centre, all the bars are nearby and they can just have a great time as well as watching all the games.

“Some of the sports fans up there might not be too familiar with rugby league, but if they give it a chance they will love it.

“It is an opportunity to watch one of the best sports in the world in their own back yard, with big impacts, lots of skill and high-paced scoring.

“The tickets are being put out there at a great price for people to come and get involved, and it is a massive chance for people to be introduced to something new.”

With his Huddersfield side set to face Catalan Dragons on the Sunday, Crabtree said: “We have been going pretty well, although we had a big loss to Leeds Rhinos which knocked us out of the Challenge Cup.

“We are fourth in the Super League and have been playing some decent stuff. We are steadily getting better, playing OK, but there is room for improvement.

“Most teams are in a similar boat, apart from Leeds who have been outstanding, and it is a massive time of year in terms of pushing on now.

“The Dragons are always a big physical presence, and they let you know you’re in a game as soon as you take the ball in.

“I would expect nothing different this time, and we have to tire them out by starting big. If we win the energy battle we can beat them, and hopefully it should be a good game for the crowd up there in Newcastle.”

Eorl Crabtree is Super League player ambassador for ALCATEL ONETOUCH, the global technology brand.