Tom Briscoe: Hull FC have no fear

TOM Briscoe says Hull FC will head to Leeds Rhinos with no fear on Friday night – thanks to the belief 2013 could be their year.

Hull begin their Super League campaign at the home of the reigning champions, a team tipped by many in the game to win a third successive Grand Final and their sixth in seven years.

Eager to put the focus on his side and not the Rhinos, Briscoe says Hull will head to Leeds confident they can be more than a match for their opponents in round one.

"We won't go there with any fear and we'll be confident of winning," he told the Mail.

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"It's the first game so everyone wants to impress and make sure they get picked for the following week.

"Everyone is up for it. All the boys want a big game, to pick up that first win and get the chance to impress."

Hull have a woeful record at Headingley and have not beaten the Rhinos on their own pitch since two Gareth Raynor tries and a Wayne Godwin score gave the Black and Whites a 17-6 victory back in 2007.

Seven away defeats have followed in the subsequent years, although last season saw Hull end a 12-game losing run against the Rhinos by winning at the KC Stadium.

This Friday's trip to Headingley could be Briscoe's last in the colours of Hull, with debate still raging regarding the future of the England international.

Offered a lucrative three-year deal by Hull, Briscoe is yet to announce his plans beyond the finish of his contract with the Black and Whites at the end of this year.

Wanted by at least two clubs in the NRL, the former Featherstone Lions player is being tipped for a lucrative switch to Australia's premier competition.

Asked about his future by the Mail, Briscoe refused to be drawn on the matter, insisting he'd wait until a decision has been made before speaking about it publicly.

However, the 22-year-old insists his focus is not on contracts, but helping Hull to honours and winning back his place in Steve McNamara's England side ahead of the World Cup in the Autumn.

"I am like everyone else, we are excited about getting started," added Briscoe.

"There is a lot of excitement around the club and the players feel that.

"For me personally, this is a really big year with a World Cup, so I'll be pushing to be involved in it. I want to be more consistent this year.

"Throughout pre-season, I've been doing well and I've been doing everything that's asked of me. I've been learning new things and getting on with it. Hopefully, I can carry that into the season.

"I'm confident we'll be challengers this season, but our focus must be on getting some consistency into our game week in and week out.

"Last year we let ourselves down in the last 10 minutes of games and we need to cut that out and start playing for the full 80.

"If we play for the full 80 minutes, we will go a long way to challenging for silverware this season."