Tom Briscoe opens up on Leeds departure as winger returns to action
Tom Briscoe admits he’s ‘gutted’ to be leaving Leeds at the end of the current season as the winger returns to Rhinos’ squad to face Huddersfield.
Head coach Rohan Smith previously revealed that Briscoe has not been offered a new contract to stay beyond the current season. It means the off-contract 32-year-old will be heading to a new club for the 2023 season.
The England international arrived at Headingley Stadium ahead of the 2014 season from Hull. He won back-to-back Challenge Cups in 2014 and 2015, scoring five tries in the latter in the 50-0 win over Hull KR. He also lifted the trophy in 2020 in the 17-16 victory over Salford.
Briscoe also won two Grand Finals with Leeds in 2015 and 2017.
“Moving on, I’m gutted to be leaving the club,” he said.
“But with that brings new opportunities. We’ll see what happens in the future. I want to concentrate on the last few games of the season.
“We’re in a good spot in the play-offs, so to finish the season well after everything I’ve achieved at this club would be great and a great send off.”
Tom Briscoe returns to full fitness
Briscoe has been named in Leeds’ 21-man squad to face Huddersfield this Wednesday and could feature for the first time under boss Smith.
He has been sidelined since the club’s win over Toulouse, requiring surgery after suffering an ankle injury.
“It’s exciting,” he added on his return. “Obviously I’ve had a long break and a long time out due to some unforeseen circumstances at the start. I’m really excited now.
“I joined in with the boys last week for a couple of sessions and I managed to get through them. I’ve joined in this week fully. We’ll see what happens, I’m back in the squad and I’m excited to see what’s ahead.
“Initially it [the injury] was 10 weeks, but there were a few setbacks and it’s ended up being 14, 15 weeks. Thankfully I’m back and out running now.
“We’ve seen how they’ve [Huddersfield] been going all season. They’re a really tough team at the minute and playing really well. We know we’ve got a real challenge.”
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