Leeds Rhinos: Re-signed winger Briscoe in line for an early recall by Featherstone

SURPRISE LEEDS Rhinos signing Luke Briscoe says he will wait and see where his career goes next.
Leeds Rhinos' Luke Briscoe made his third debut for the club against Catalans Dragons in midweek. PICs: Martin Rickett/PA WireLeeds Rhinos' Luke Briscoe made his third debut for the club against Catalans Dragons in midweek. PICs: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Leeds Rhinos' Luke Briscoe made his third debut for the club against Catalans Dragons in midweek. PICs: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

Briscoe joined Rhinos this week from Featherstone Rovers on a deal until the end of the season.

It is the 24-year-old’s third spell at the club and he began it by scoring a try in the 28-25 defeat by Catalans Dragons two days ago.

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Rhinos turned to Briscoe, who has scored 29 tries in 19 games for Rovers this year and touched down in 17 consecutive matches earlier in the campaign, as a replacement for England winger Ryan Hall who is in Denver preparing for tomorrow’s Test against New Zealand.

England and Leeds Rhinos winger, Ryan Hall. PIC: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.comEngland and Leeds Rhinos winger, Ryan Hall. PIC: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
England and Leeds Rhinos winger, Ryan Hall. PIC: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Rovers have described the move as a “loan” and insist he will return to them at the end of the season for the final year of his contract, but Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington says Briscoe is now contracted to Rhinos.

That will allow him to switch between the clubs at short notice and Briscoe could play on dual-registration for Rovers in tomorrow’s Betfred Championship fixture at Sheffield Eagles.

His older brother Tom recently signed a new Rhinos contract, but Hall’s deal expires at the end of this year and he has yet to announce a decision over his future so Leeds may need a winger for next season if he decides to move on.

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Briscoe is the first player in Leeds’ history to sign for the club three times, having also played in 2014 and 2016. He said: “It’s good to get back out there and be back in Super League.

Leeds Rhinos winger, Tom Briscoe, brother of recently re-signed Luke. PIC: Bruce RollinsonLeeds Rhinos winger, Tom Briscoe, brother of recently re-signed Luke. PIC: Bruce Rollinson
Leeds Rhinos winger, Tom Briscoe, brother of recently re-signed Luke. PIC: Bruce Rollinson

“It gets me back playing at Super League level and we’ll see what happens now and go from there. I can dual-reg straight back to Fev so I can play there if needed. I will probably train with both Fev and Leeds.

“As we are now, that [going back to Rovers next year] is the plan, but obviously things can change there so we’ll see what happens.

“I’ve just got to grab it [this opportunity] and go from there.”

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Briscoe has been named in Rovers’ initial 19-man squad for tomorrow’s game.

He added: “I think I’ll be playing for Fev on Saturday, it’ll be like another Easter period for me!

“It’s not too bad, if they need me I’ll play so I’ll see what happens.”

The loss to Catalans took the gloss off an impressive return to the top flight for Briscoe, who played as Leeds’ left-winger with brother Tom on the right.

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He said: “It was nice to get over and I thought I played well. Shame about the result, but I thought I had a decent game myself. I’ve played with Tom before, two years ago, on opposite wings.

“It is nice to link up with him in the back-three, working off the back of each other.”