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Rising star Briscoe inspired by World Cup snub
AS he prepares to make his breakthrough into the full England team, Shaun Briscoe could be forgiven for celebrating the end of a long journey towards international recognition.
After all, the 26-year-old has been touted as potentially the best full-back in the country ever since he emerged from the Wigan Academy as an understudy to team-mate Kris Radlinski.
However, the Hull Kingston Rovers full-back is taking nothing for granted on the eve of tomorrow's Gillette Fusion International against France, a match which affords him an opportunity to stake his claim for the England No 1 jersey that has been 'owned' by Paul Wellens since Radlinski's retirement from international rugby five years ago.
In a bold move, England coach Tony Smith has called up Briscoe for the mid-season Test despite Wellens having been at the peak of his powers so far in 2009. That is not to say Briscoe's involvement is not merited for a series of impressive performances for the Robins have seen him become a pivotal figure in the East Hull club becoming major players in Super League XIV.
However, a player who went close to joining England in last year's World Cup is taking nothing for granted on the eve of his fourth England cap, the first three of which were gained in the Great Britain 'shadow' team.
"My biggest challenge starts right now," said Briscoe. "I'm chuffed to bits to be involved in the England set up, it's a great honour and something I want to experience again and again.
"I'd love to be where Paul Wellens has been for the last few years: to be the player everyone else in my position wants to displace from the national team.
"Paul is a great player who I have a lot of respect for, so to be picked in front of him is very special. Hopefully, this won't be a one-off. My first step is to put in a good performance on Saturday night to show what I can do on the international stage and then back that up in Super League between now and the end of the season."
Few rugby league players play the game as wholeheartedly and honestly as Briscoe, whose integrity is recognised by the fact he is a member of the elite group of players who has remained popular and respected on both sides of Hull since he crossed the river to join Rovers at the end of the 2007 season.
He proved an immediate hit at Craven Park and was unlucky not to make the World Cup trip, a snub which has helped inspire him in 2009.
"As a player, you don't get too many chances to play in a World Cup and to miss out was deeply disappointing," he said.
"I did feel privileged to have been talked about as a possible England full-back and learned a lot during the six weeks I was involved in the train-on squad at the end of last season but now I feel ready to make the next step up."
Briscoe feels he has yet to produce his best form this season – "I've had a decent year and been reasonably consistent but there's still more to come" – but that modesty cannot mask the fact that throughout the first half of the year it is his steadfastness at the back that has allowed Rovers to climb to the dizzy heights of second in Super League.
The pressure of staying one step ahead of defending champions Leeds has undoubtedly been a factor in Briscoe's steady improvement and offers more compelling evidence that the salary cap is breaking down the unhealthy dominance of Super League – and the national team – by the same coterie of clubs.
"It's been a great experience for us all this year – other clubs know they have to raise their game when they play Rovers and that makes you step up a level," said Briscoe.
"It toughens you up both mentally and physically."
That toughness will be invaluable as Rovers head towards the play-offs and for Briscoe and team-mate Peter Fox when they line up against France tomorrow – and possibly against Australia and New Zealand in the Four Nations at the end of the season.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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