Briscoe impressed by Widnes youngsters

Widnes full-back Shaun Briscoe says he is impressed with some of the youngsters coming through at the club.

Briscoe, 28, came through the Wigan academy, making his debut back in 2002, before moving on to Hull and Hull KR, and then making the move to the Stobart Stadium in the close season.

The Vikings are back in Super League after six years in the Championship, and one of their focuses during that time has been the development of their academy structures.

Briscoe said: “I’ve been really impressed with some of the young kids. It’s really exciting times for the people of Widnes.

“I don’t like to single players out, but two players who have stood out for me are Anthony Mullally, who has come back from Australia and shown a great attitude and work ethic to improve himself, and is learning from the likes of Ben Cross and Hep Cahill, picking things up all the time. The other is Danny Craven, and I have spent some time working with him at full back, and both are really exciting players with bright futures.

“They don’t want to be part of the squad, they want to bat on and get first team spots, which is a credit to them, and a credit to the club for bringing them through.”

Full back or stand-off Craven, 20, made his first team debut against Whitehaven in the 2010, and went on to make an impact in the second half of that season, taking on the role of goalkicker. Injury restricted him to just nine appearances in 2011, but he is highly regarded by the Vikings staff.

Mullally, also 20, spent 2011 in Australia playing for Brisbane Broncos in the Toyota Cup. The big forward made his solitary appearance for the Vikings in 2010, in the club’s biggest ever win, 88-0 over Saddleworth Rangers in the Challenge Cup.