FOUR NATIONS: KR's Briscoe fit for Aussie test (VIDEO)
HULL KR and England full back Shaun Briscoe insists there is nothing wrong with his shoulder after coming off for 25 minutes in the second half of England's 34-12 Four Nations opener.
Full-backs aren't usually the subject of tactical substitutions. but Briscoe told the Mail his withdrawal was to give St Helens' Kyle Eastmond a run-out.
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Shaun Briscoe in action for England in their Four Nations' opener
In Briscoe's absence, Lee Smith moved to full-back with Eastmond slotting in at centre, where he scored in the Grand Final against Leeds.
Briscoe had been hampered with a shoulder injury towards the end of the domestic season, but he said the change was purely tactical.
"I came off just to give Kyle Eastmond a run-out," Briscoe told the Mail.
"That was all it was, there were no problems at all.
"I didn't feel the shoulder injury at all.
"I felt fine and coming off had nothing to do with my shoulder. The shoulder felt good."
Briscoe was delighted England made a winning start against a stubborn French side, who had Jean Philippe Baile sent off in the closing stages.
Although the full-back admits improvements have to be made against Australia, who will be keen to prove they are the best side in the world after losing last year's World Cup.
England struggled for periods against France, but Briscoe knows the importance of not peaking too soon in a major tournament.
"You don't win the competition in the first week," said Briscoe, who won his fourth cap for England at Doncaster on Friday.
"It's in three weeks' time at Elland Road that matters.
"The building process starts now and we have to take it week by week.
"We are still very confident of getting to Elland Road and winning."
Next up for England is the might of Australia.
It's everybody's dream to play against the country who are still considered the best in the world, even though New Zealand are the world champions.
Briscoe has added incentive to walk out at the DW Stadium on Saturday.
"The Australia game is in my home town of Wigan," said Briscoe.
"It would be great to walk out at the DW Stadium against the Aussies so I'm looking forward to that, if selected.
"It will be a good challenge for us and there is certainly belief in the camp that we can do it.
"We'll go into that game full of confidence.
"We have to beat everyone to win it so that's something we are looking at.
"Defensively we have to be strong if we are to stop the Aussies.
"They are really good with the ball in their hands and if we can defend well that will be half the battle."
47 Comments
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by in case you missed, it last time
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 11:35PM
“Shaun Briscoe could be a liability against the Aussies, I think Tony Smith should put Kyle Eastmond at full back as he looked far more impressive and confident and returns the ball far better than Briscoe has ever done. If Briscoe struggled against the French then he will get well exposed against the Aussies. Sean Briscoe has been a good SL player but international, I don't think so. Should be on the bench or out of the side alltogether like that overrated slow winger Peter Fox.”
by small club in east hull, craven park
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 11:34PM
“Now then Colonel Sanders is that right your'e our new assisant coach?
Take that back you wouldn't know a rugby ball if one hit you in the face soft lad .
You being a typical Dobbin bandwagonner who has only followed the Dobbins 2 seasons Do you get in cheaper at Caravan Park with you being on dole?
Cant wait for next season, have you signed anyone yet, oh no you haven't got any money and your chairman is going to Hull City. No big signings like Graham Horne then, ha ha ha , What a joke club the Dobbins are”
by small club in east hull, craven park
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 10:29PM
“Shaun Briscoe could be a liability against the Aussies, I think Tony Smith should put Kyle Eastmond at full back as he looked far more impressive and confident and returns the ball far better than Briscoe has ever done. If Briscoe struggled against the French then he will get well exposed against the Aussies. Sean Briscoe has been a good SL player but international, I don't think so. Should be on the bench or out of the side alltogether like that overrated slow winger Peter Fox.”
by Hull FC, Est 1865
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 10:20PM
“Headline News!!!
The Dobbins have finally made a big signing from down under.
The Australian tealady starts on Monday”
by 10 5, wembley
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 10:19PM
“big gob gov still ducking his questions hull fc est 1998 fact”
by kfc walton st market, hull
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 10:12PM
“ahh hear he is the GUVNOR ha ha, who cares GUVVY only you thats who! cant keep off can ya GUV your obsession with the mighty red and whites is beyond belief me old china! int it time you was tucked up in bed by the way ?”
by Governor, westside
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 10:03PM
“Dimwit historian going by the guise of 10-5, if you would care to run those questions by me again after you have answered me these? Why did the season passes for 2010 go on sale in july 2009? Why did the club charge its supposedly loyal fans 60 quid to become members of the club? Why has the promised ground improvements been cancelled? Why have the club decided to sublet Saltend back to its rightful owners? Why has one of Hull City`s vice presidents, whom incidentaly has a role at your hovel, refused to talk to the media this evening on the humberside radio boretalk? Why does a supposedly family orientated club feel the need to increase by 27% the clubs 2010 shirt prices during the month of release which encompasses xmas? I`ll hit you with the next batch when you`ve answered these.”
by 10 5, wembley
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 9:32PM
“bigob gov loves talking to himself under the guise of different names but wont answer the questions posed to him,clueless or just thick or both?hull fc est 1998 fact”
by kfc walton st market, hull
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 9:17PM
“big gob, the GUVNOR thinks hes the big i am on ere talking in his fancy riddles and rhymes, but we all know hes the biggest tw!t on these forums. He stated that hes an ex player on ere a while ago, another fantasy goin round in that pea sized brain of his,, ive noticed he likes talking about violence a lot among our supporters but has no evidence to back this up? yet another little fantasy eh GUV,? He also thinks were going out of buisness another fantasy eh GUV? one thing for sure that aint no fantasy is the fact hes S!!T scared of the mighty red and whites thats why he spends all play time on this forum!! EH GUV?”
by martin baker, west hull
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 6:52PM
“as a rovers fan i would like to see something a little different at full back go on stick eastmond in there see if he can be a jason robinson what we got to loose after the french game . if it dunt work out brisc can come off the bench stick east at the halves n bring myler off eastmond would relish it im sure”