Tom Briscoe on what it’s like to walk out at Old Trafford & Leeds Rhinos’ ‘special journey’ to Grand Final

Tom Briscoe’s Leeds career will come to an end this Saturday and he would love nothing more than to leave Headingley with another Grand Final win under his belt.

The winger joined Leeds in 2014 instantly playing a key role in their Challenge Cup win with tries in both the semi-final and final.

Then in 2015 he scored a record five tries in the Wembley win over Hull KR as Leeds headed down the road to the treble beating Wigan in the Grand Final with Briscoe playing a key role in Danny McGuire’s lovely second try.

2017 saw him return to Old Trafford where he scored twice as Leeds beat Castleford to lift the trophy and he was again crossing the whitewash on a big occasion in 2020 when Leeds defeated Salford at Wembley.

So, can Briscoe win a sixth major final with the Rhinos?

That’s certainly what he is aiming to do and for him it would be the perfect conclusion to a special journey in 2022: “It’s massive, finding out I won’t be at the club next year and moving on, there would be no better way to get sent off with a Grand Final appearance but certainly being able to win it as well.

“The journey we have been on makes it even more special.”

He also said that the group knew they had it in them to do it, even though it looked very unlikely when the Rhinos were in 11th: “We knew we had it in the group, but to see ourselves in 11^th position and to say we’re in the Grand Final is incredible. Knowing it’s my last at Leeds, it’s a special moment.

“It would be special to win it, it’s something dreams are made of to get that send off but not wanting to look too much into that.”

A special night awaits for Briscoe and his teammates which will no doubt start with the famous walking out onto the pitch and for Briscoe, there is nothing better.

When asked what you feel in that moment, Briscoe said: “Everything: nerves, excitement, it’s the best feeling you can get as a rugby player walking out at Old Trafford, nothing beats that feeling when you come out of that corner.”