Leeds Rhinos in focus - spotlight on Tom Briscoe

Winger Tom Briscoe is expected to make his Leeds Rhinos comeback on August 2 - a year to the day after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury against the same opponents, Huddersfield Giants.
By Peter Smith
Published 17th Jul 2020, 12:00 BST
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Briscoe is now off the casualty list and was due to play in the postponed Betfred Super League fixture at Catalans Dragons in March.

The former England man made his debut in 2014 and is Rhinos’ third-longest-serving player, after Stevie Ward and Liam Sutcliffe. Here we assess what his return will bring to Rhinos’ squad.

Attributes:

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Briscoe has 296 appearances to his name for Hull and Leeds and has scored 167 tries, so is vastly experienced and a proven finisher.

Strong carries coming away from his side’s line are his speciality.

Defining moment:

Five years ago Briscoe became the first player to score five tries in a Challenge Cup final, a feat - against Hull KR - which earned him the Lance Todd trophy, as well as a place in the record books.

This try against Huddersfield last year was Tom Briscoe's final action before his acl layoff. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.This try against Huddersfield last year was Tom Briscoe's final action before his acl layoff. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
This try against Huddersfield last year was Tom Briscoe's final action before his acl layoff. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Best season:

Before his injury Briscoe scored 11 tries in 25 games during 2019 and was runner-up to fellow winger Ash Handley for the club’s player of the year award.

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In terms of tries, his best return for Leeds was in 2018 when he touched down 18 times in 33 matches.

Concerns:

Tom Briscoe made history at Wembley five years ago. Picture by Steve Riding.Tom Briscoe made history at Wembley five years ago. Picture by Steve Riding.
Tom Briscoe made history at Wembley five years ago. Picture by Steve Riding.

Briscoe has had a few dips during his Leeds career, though he has always bounced back.

In 2017 he was written off after a traumatic Challenge Cup semi-final against his old club, but three months later scored a brace of tries in Rhinos’ Grand Final win over Castleford.

Value:

Briscoe is highly-rated by Leeds’ management, as last year’s player of the year ceremony proved.

Tom Briscoe scores his second try in Leeds' 2017 Grand Final win against Castleford. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Tom Briscoe scores his second try in Leeds' 2017 Grand Final win against Castleford. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Tom Briscoe scores his second try in Leeds' 2017 Grand Final win against Castleford. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
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While Handley and Konrad Hurrell on the left side grab most of the headlines, Briscoe’s combination with young centre Harry Newman on the other flank offers lots of promise.

The 30-year-old is out of contract this autumn and has his brother Luke and England academy teenager Liam Tindall snapping at his heels, but it will be a surprise if he isn’t offered a new deal.

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Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

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Thank you

Laura Collins

Related topics:LeedsHull KRHuddersfield GiantsAsh HandleySuper LeagueCatalans Dragons

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