Briscoe shock at call-up
Hull FC’s teenage star Tom Briscoe got the shock of his life when England coach Tony Smith asked him to join his Four Nations squad.
The 19-year-old centre or winger revealed: “The call came right out of the blue. I wasn’t expecting it but it has made my week.”
Briscoe comes into the squad to replace Wigan Warriors star Sean O’Loughlin who has been ruled out with a broken thumb.
His inclusion in the Four Nations squad makes Tom one of the youngest Hull FC players to represent their country at this level.
He follows in the illustrious footsteps of some of Hull FC’s legends, like Lee Crooks and Garry Schofield OBE who both made their Great Britain debuts when in their teens.
Crooks and Schofield were 19, the same age as Tom; when they donned their GB jerseys for the first time and they went on to make almost 70 representative appearances between them.
O’Loughlin’s injury has opened the door for Briscoe whose inclusion in the squad comes on the back of an impressive two-try international debut performance for England in their 48-12 success over Wales last weekend.
After just 29 senior games for Hull, in which he has scored 14 tries, Briscoe is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the game but he has had a frustrating season this year after being ruled out for over three months through injury.
He made just 13 appearances, although he scored eight tries. He admitted: “I was more than happy to just have played against Wales. Considering the frustrations of this season I didn’t expect much more.
“To have got a call up to join the Four Nations squad is more than I could have expected. It is just fantastic and it really does put a totally different view to the season.
“Making the squad doesn’t guarantee anything but having got this far I’d like to get in the side and play in the Four Nations tournament.
“I have just got to work hard, try my best and impress in training. If I do that then hopefully that will get me in the side.”
The news has delighted his Hull FC coach Richard Agar. He believes Tom deserves his chance and said: “It’s good news for Tom and I am pretty certain that had he not suffered his injury when he did he would have played himself into the 24 man squad a little earlier than this.
“He had a chance to push himself forward on Saturday night against Wales and I felt he took his chance well.
“We’re pleased for him and knowing him as we do we know nothing will phase him and he certainly won’t let anyone down.”