Video - Leeds 36 Catalans 22: Briscoe proves pivotal on his comeback for Rhinos

The former Hull man, who needed surgery on a shoulder injury suffered in Leeds’s defeat at Warrington Wolves on March 13, scored a hat-trick on his comeback against Catalans Dragons yesterday.

That proved his form and fitness ahead of this Friday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against 
St Helens and was the difference between the teams in Leeds’s home success.

Briscoe’s performance justified coach Brian McDermott’s decision to recall him in place of young winger Ash Handley, who had scored 12 tries in 19 appearances, including two hat-tricks against Saints.

McDermott said: “It was a very good return. To score a hat-trick, he pretty much cracked on where he left off.

“It wasn’t the busiest of games for him, but when he had the ball in his hands he looked good with it – not just his tries. He made us some extra metres.”

The win lifted the hosts above St Helens and into top spot on the Super League table going into the Super 8s, which begin next week.

Leeds did not have it all their own way in tough conditions as Catalans, boosted by stand-off Todd Carney’s return from long-term injury, recovered from a poor start.

The visitors looked set to lead at half-time, but Leeds struck twice in four minutes to go in 16-10 ahead.

They then ran in three tries in six minutes at the start of the final quarter, after the gap had been reduced to two points.

Briscoe gave Leeds the perfect start with the opening try after five minutes, nipping over from close-range after Kallum Watkins, who had an outstanding game, worked the blindside from acting-half.

The visitors made a series of errors in the opening quarter, but Leeds could not make a huge advantage in territory and possession count and Catalans rallied to score two quick tries.

On 22 minutes Zak Hardaker knocked-on near his own line and on the final tackle of the resulting set Scott Dureau slid through a kick which Tony Gigot touched down.

Dureau’s conversion levelled the scores and four minutes later Ryan Hall knocked on.

A penalty put Leeds under more pressure and Dureau’s well-timed pass sent Morgan Escare bursting past Jimmy Keinhorst for Catalans to score their second try.

Four minutes before the interval Briscoe’s second try, again off Watkins’s pass, levelled the scores and then recent signing Mitch Garbutt stormed over on the 
final play of the half, from a pass by Kevin Sinfield, who added his second conversion.

Sinfield extended Leeds’s advantage with a penalty goal, but Dureau finished off a sparkling move for a try which he also improved.

Sinfield booted another two-pointer after a spear tackle on Kylie Leuluai by Jeff Lima and Leeds then stepped up a gear to make the game safe.

Watkins raced the length of the field for a solo try and combined with Briscoe to put Brett Delaney in.

Then Briscoe completed his hat-trick from a kick by Sinfield, who added two more conversions, before Catalans scored a consolation try through Gigot, improved by Dureau.

McDermott felt it was a good win, over a team his side will visit in the next phase of the competition.

“They are a good team Catalans,” he said. “I know they have had a bit of a turbulent season away from home, but quietly, we were very worried about today, really concerned.”

Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Briscoe, Watkins, Keinhorst, Hall, Sinfield, Burrow, Leuluai, Aiton, Peacock, Delaney, Ablett, Singleton. Substitutes: Jones-Buchanan, Cuthbertson, McGuire.

Catalans Dragons: Escare, Inu, Gigot, Tonga, Sigismeau, Carney, Dureau, Elima, Henderson, Lima, Whitehead, Pomeroy, Baitieri. Substitutes: Pelissier, Garcia, Bousquet, Margalet.

Referee: J Child (Batley).