Briers would play for Swinton again

Swinton coach Gary Chambers has defended his decision to play Lee Briers in last week’s Championship victory over Whitehaven.

The veteran Warrington scrum-half played on dual-registration on his return from a career-threatening neck injury.

He scored a try and had a hand in two others as the Lions won 30-24.

Chambers said: “It could have gone wrong. Some people don’t think it is right for someone like him to come in.

“But I think it was right for us and I will stand by it.”

Briers is hoping to get back into the Warrington first team but didn’t rule out playing for Swinton again.

He said: “It’s in the club’s hands. I’ve done my bit and hopefully that’s good enough but I may be back with Swinton again, you never know.

“Swinton were great and welcomed me with open arms.

“People might have thought I was just coming here to get fit but I was full blooded for the boys and would have no hesitation in playing again.”

Chambers reckons the experience of the 34-year-old Wales international rubbed off on his young players.

“My idea of bringing Lee in was to show us how to stay in the game and how to kill teams off,” he said

“Look at the age of our pack; apart from one or two they are still babies in rugby league terms.

“There is a lot of promise there but they needed some direction and the guy came in and did  a good job for us.”

Victory came at a cost with Darren Hawkyard breaking his hand and Gavin Bennion suffering a gashed eye.

The Lions are back in action at Batley on Sunday (2pm).