Tom Briscoe reflects ahead of testimonial against Hull FC

As the 2022 Super League season approaches, Tom Briscoe will be celebrating his testimonial as the Leeds Rhinos take on Hull FC.

The 31-year-old looked back on his time with the Black and Whites.

Briscoe started his professional Rugby League career in 2008 making his debut against the Warrington Wolves, as well as making a number of appearances for England before moving to the Leeds Rhinos in 2014.

“I started there [Hull FC] and achieved so much at the club personally, the first season I managed to get to the Challenge Cup final in 2008 and played in that, I think I made under 10 appearances.”

“Then to go on the next season and get picked for England and to finish my time at Hull off at Wembley was special. It was successful on a personal note with the Challenge Cup and England appearances.”

Sunday will see Briscoe walk out to a special reception as he celebrates his testimonial with a pre-season fixture against his former club, but despite the emotion of the occasion, the full focus will be on the match itself.

“I’m really looking forward to it, after playing at Hull for so long. I am hoping for a good atmosphere and a good crowd,” Briscoe added.

“I’ll be able to put all the emotions to the side and get on with the game, I am really looking forward to taking the experience in.

“As soon as I get into the changing room it will turn in to a normal game, to come out to that reception will be a bit different”

The number two shirt has been Tom Briscoe’s for a number of seasons now and he has been a staple of the Rhinos setup during his time at the club.

2022 has seen the shirt number taken away from him with Briscoe moving not only to the number 20 but a position on the field that he wants to challenge himself despite previous experiences.

“I’m looking forward to the season, I would say centre is the aim. The wing number got taken away and that was through myself, I spoke to Rich [Richard Agar] and said I’d like a shot at centre and he has allowed me to do that, I’d like to cement a centre spot in the squad this season.

“I started as a centre and I look back at 2009, Gareth Rainer got injured and I got put on the wing as a bit of cover and I have kind of just stayed there.”

After finishing last season in fifth place. the Rhinos came within 80 minutes of yet another Grand Final but came up short being defeated by eventual winners St Helens.

In the off-season, Leeds have brought in new halfbacks in the form of Blake Austin and Aidan Sezar, both players who have Super League experience having joined from Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants respectively.

“I think there is a good chance of success, we have brought in some good players. It will be one to build. There are two new halves to get used to how we play, the more we play together the more benefits we will see of that.”

The Rhinos get their Super League season underway against the Warrington Wolves on February 12th, a game that will be viewable on free to air television after a deal was struck with Channel 4 to show games for the 2022 season and beyond.

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