The veteran winger looks set for a derby spot with a question on his future also answered.
Hull FC winger Tom Briscoe.
Hull FC have an outside back conundrum ahead of Thursday’s derby match against Hull KR, but it seems like Tom Briscoe isn’t part of that conundrum.
The 36-year-old has been the Black and Whites’ best winger this year in the eyes of interim coach Andy Last and is seemingly set to take his place in the Hull side at the MKM Stadium.
That suggests a straight shootout between Harvey Barron and Lewis Martin for Hull’s other spot, with the two wingers each copping HIA blows in recent weeks. In fact, Martin missed last week’s game against the Leigh Leopards with a head knock but is now back in contention to face the Robins, while Barron featured at York and against Leigh after missing the last derby with the same injury.
“There’s a big selection call to come,” Last said. “The wingers Tom Briscoe, Harvey Barron, and Lewis Martin are all fighting for those spots. I do think Tom’s probably been the standout of the three from a wing point of view. Just his ability to get the sets started and carrying a ball, but Lewis certainly comes into consideration for the 17 on the weekend.”
Of course, Briscoe is no stranger to big Hull derby moments, from his length-of-the-field try in 2008 while still a teenager to his tackle on Peter Fox two years later. Since returning to the club, he has also been a regular derby try scorer and now has a full dozen tries in the fixture – just five tries behind derby record try scorer Kirk Yeaman.
Reminded of those moments, Last said: “It would be great to get a big derby moment from Tommy. He’s had plenty over the course of his career, and I’m hoping he has another one tomorrow night.
“He’s got a good strike record, has Tom, in the derbies over the course of a long time at the club, and he’s had some big derby day moments. I speak at length about the type of person that he is and the player that he is, and when he broke onto the scene, I remember him going the length, David Doyle-Davidson on the radio, going berserk when he went flying down the West Stand side. No one got near him. Michael Dobson chased him and Chris Chester chased him and they couldn’t get there and he scored a 100-metre try.
“And then in a derby where we dominated but couldn’t get away from Hull KR on the scoreboard, he comes up with a massive play where he throws Peter Fox into touch, which was a big play right at the end of the game.
“He’s also scored a couple of tries again for us against them this year, one in the Good Friday game and another at the Magic Weekend. He’s been an exceptional player for the Black and Whites and I know he is looking forward to the derby game.”
Briscoe is one of several Hull players still out of contract at the end of the year. Asked if it’s too soon for the veteran to hang up the boots, Last added: “It’s a tough one. His form has been good.
“Probably the best person to ask is Tom. He knows his body and where his head’s at better than anybody, but again, his form has been good for us and he’s certainly been performing strongly on a weekly basis.
“That’s why we brought him back to the club. He’s a good person with good experience and he’s still capable of playing at a high level. Those discussions (surrounding his future) are probably being spoken about, but he’s certainly someone who has contributed well this season.”