The full-back lines up for England versus the feted Kangaroos this afternoon attempting to secure the win that will put Tony Smith's men straight into the Gillette Four Nations final.

Despite regularly being one of Super League's most consistent performers in his chosen position, the prospect of Briscoe fulfilling the role at the highest level seemed remote given the presence of Paul Wellens.

But, at the age of 26, and with his St Helens rival ousted, the fruits of Briscoe's outstanding form are finally being harvested.

"I had a lot of belief in my ability and was never overly concerned about it," he said.

"I thought my chance would arrive if I kept performing for Rovers or (Hull) FC and when I was at Wigan before.

"It was a case of keeping my head down, working hard and hopefully the rewards will come. They have done now."

The rewards are further increased in that Briscoe, winning his fifth cap, will also step out today at Wigan's DW Stadium.

"It doesn't get much better than playing the Aussies," he said.

"But playing there, in my hometown, in front of my hometown fans, just tops it off.

"I'm really looking forward to it now. I set myself goals at the start of the season to make the England squad and once I got in it was to make the starting team.

"I've done that and it's a case of playing well and keeping hold of the shirt."

Having first shown his emerging talent by breaking into the Wigan team in 2002, Briscoe was released the following year due to salary cap constraints.

Hull picked him up and it was with the Airlie Birds where his promise was firmly established, scoring 58 tries in 103 games before switching to city rivals Rovers in 2007.

It is Briscoe's defensive qualities that win him most admirers though, the ferocity with which he protects his line being a hallmark of Hull KR's surprise fourth-place finish this year.

Countless time opponents have thought themselves destined for the whitewash only to be forced back by a last-ditch tackle – "I'll do it by any means necessary" – and Briscoe may be called upon in such fashion plenty of times today if favourites Australia have their way.

The tourists are under huge pressure having only drawn with New Zealand and need a victory to avoid missing out on a major final for the first time since 1954. However, Briscoe insists England will be ready for anything.

"There's certainly belief in the camp that we can do it," he said.

"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."

Melbourne Storm's dazzling Billy Slater, his opposite number, is one of Australia's most potent strike weapons.

"He's not the Golden Boot holder for nothing," said Briscoe.

"Slater is a quality individual. Going head to head with him is a massive challenge for me but hopefully one I can rise to."

Briscoe's other major challenge could have been meeting all the expected ticket requests for today's showdown.

"It's not been too bad actually," he said.

"I think my mum and dad went and bought 22 tickets a couple of weeks ago when the squad got announced so that's sorted them, grandparents, brothers and sisters, family and friends.

"I was a little bit sceptical and thought they were counting their chickens. I'm glad they did now though because it takes the pressure off me."

After Briscoe was unexpectedly replaced after just 55 minutes against France last week, there was a suspicion he had blown his chance of facing Australia and those tickets looked like they might go to waste.

However, he explained: "Tony (Smith) just said it was a precaution for this week so I was pretty confident I'd get the nod.

"Obviously it depended how I trained too and Kyle (Eastmond) came on and did a pretty good job, setting up a try.

"There was that possibility but that's what was said.

"I'm quite happy to go with whatever Tony says and I'm part of Team England. It's not Team Shaun. It's a case of doing my best for the team no matter what. "That's what Ill be doing against the Aussies."


Goulding forced to wait before naming france line-up

France coach Bobbie Goulding will not finalise his team to face New Zealand in Toulouse until an hour before kick-off after his squad was decimated by injury, illness and suspension.

Goulding was down to just 16 fit players at training earlier this week and was forced to draft in New Zealand-born forwards Artie Shead and Andrew Bentley.

Centres Jean-Philippe Baile and Sebastien Raguin and second row Cyril Gossard have all been ruled out with knee injuries, prop Remi Casty has a broken hand and fellow front rower David Ferriol is suspended.

In addition, winger Dimitri Pelo has been in quarantine since Sunday after going down with swine flu and full-back Clint Greenshields has also been showing symptoms of the illness.

The Kiwis, upbeat after an opening 20-20 draw with Australia, are firm favourites to extend their unbeaten run against the French to
19 matches going back to a 6-5 defeat in Perpignan in 1980.

New Zealand were made to work for a 22-14 victory on their last visit two years ago and coach Stephen Kearney is warning his players against complacency.

"You only have to look at Tests the Kiwis have played here against the French in recent years," said Kearney.

"We need to work to improve in a lot of areas and be concerned with getting our preparation right to give us every chance of putting together the performance that will be required."