London Broncos v Leeds Rhinos: Briscoe happy to play for weakened Leeds

LEEDS RHINOS winger Tom Briscoe has no qualms with playing tomorrow despite the majority of his team-mates having the weekend off in readiness for next Saturday’s Tetley’s Challenge Cup final.
Brian McDermottBrian McDermott
Brian McDermott

For their game at Super League bottom club London Broncos, head coach Brian McDermott has retained just eight of the squad that defeated Warrington Wolves in last week’s semi-final success.

A raft of key players are rested for Castleford Tigers at Wembley and youngsters Ash Handley, Ben White, Ashton Goulding and Jordan Lilley could all come in for their senior debuts.

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But winger Briscoe insisted: “You want to play week-in, week-out. You’d like to keep your form up and I personally wouldn’t want to be going into the final having had a week off and maybe being a bit dusty from that.

“I’m looking forward to it. I guess it’s a bit of a dress rehearsal for going down there next week and I’m sure everybody will be up for the game.”

Relegated London, of course, have lost all 24 fixtures so far this season and will be looking to finally get their first win with their visitors missing the likes of Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire.

But Leeds, too, realise if they win all four remaining regular games they will finish top.

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Briscoe, who was a Wembley loser with Hull FC last season, added: “It’s not just about not being the first team to lose against them.

“It is more about us getting the two points and looking towards the league leaders’ shield at the end of the season.

“If you were London you’d probably be thinking we will have one eye on Wembley and you’d be expecting a weakened team, but I think they’ll get a shock when we go down there and perform to the best of our ability.”