Hull FC star makes bold claim ahead of Magic Weekend clash

It might not be obvious looking at the table, but winger Tom Briscoe believes Hull FC have “turned a corner” in their dismal season.

Briscoe rejoined Hull FC from Leigh Leopards in April in a deal which saw Darnell McIntosh move the other way.

He began his career at Hull from 2008-2013 before winning every available domestic honour during nine seasons with Leeds Rhinos, including the Lance Todd Trophy winner nine years ago when he scored a record five tries in Rhinos’ 50-0 Wembley demolition of Hull KR.

Having picked up another Challenge Cup medal, also against the Robins, last season, moving to the team second from bottom in the Betfred Super League might seem like a backwards step, but Briscoe reckons Hull are on the up, in both the short and long-term.

The 34-year-old is contracted until the end of 2025 and told Serious About Rugby League: “If you look at the players Hull have brought in, there are some positive signs, but over the last month-six weeks I feel like we have turned a corner.

“We’ve started challenging in games and picked up a couple of wins against big teams, so there’s some good signs there.

“We are going through it in terms of bans and injuries, but you’ve just got to ride that. That’s the hand we’ve been dealt and we’ve just got to make sure whoever is selected from week to week is doing a good job for us.”

Hull FC fired up for bottom-of-the-table Magic Weekend opener

The Black and Whites are two points ahead of bottom club London Broncos who they meet in the opening game of the Magic Weekend at Elland Road and Briscoe summed up what’s at stake on Saturday in one word: “Pride.”

He vowed: “No one likes to lose, everyone wants to win and what I’ve achieved over the years has heightened that sense of not wanting to lose.

“That’s the situation we are in at the minute and the pride of not finishing bottom is a big driving force, so we’ve got a lot to play for in those terms.

“It’s a big game on the table. There’s no relegation so that takes a bit of stress and pressure off the game, but we want to perform and give something back to the fans.”

Briscoe is one of Magic Weekend’s veterans, having played at all five previous venues – Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.

“It is always a great event,” the Featherstone-born ace – who previously featured at Elland Road for Rhinos and England – said.

“I’ve had some good games there and I’m looking forward to this weekend. It’s a big thing for the fans, seeing more than one game and seeing some other teams or favourite players from different clubs.

“It is a great thing for the fans and hopefully it’ll be a good weekend and we can put in a performance for them.”