Briscoe: Exiles return is “a good idea”

Leeds Rhinos winger Tom Briscoe has backed the return of an England v Exiles return ahead of the 2021 World Cup.

The 30-year-old started on the wing for England in the inaugural fixture in 2011, and scored a try in the game the year after.

With the Ashes Tour cancelled, the ‘Wall of White’ now have no games scheduled to prepare them for next Autumn’s home World Cup, which would deny new head coach Shaun Wane the chance to see his players in action together for the first time and experiment with his squad ahead of the tournament.

Wane himself said earlier today that he would be open to the idea of a fixture with the Exiles and Briscoe agrees, especially with players of the calibre of Sonny Bill Williams and James Maloney now in Super League.

“I think it is a good idea,” he said. “Getting to pull on the England shirt is always a great and proud moment so to give players the opportunity to play a game like this is important.

“The quality of overseas players is outstanding at the moment; to play against that quality of team would be great preparation for the England squad. They were tough games so I have no doubt it would be ideal from a performance side but, for it to succeed as a spectacle, we need more buy in from everyone else.

“There are obviously going to be challenges moving around in the next year but this would be ideal as everyone is already here in England.  

“The signings over the last few seasons in Super League have been great, you only need to look at the quality we have got at the Rhinos, and with Greg Inglis already coming over  next season and others, there are now some top names in our competition.

“That first Exiles team was top class but I think a new one could be the equal or even better. It would certainly be a worthwhile test for the squad.”