The Hull FC veteran on his future, role in the team, and Saturday’s game against Leigh Leopards.
Hull FC’s Tom Briscoe celebrates scoring his 100th Super League try.(Image: SW PIX)
Tom Briscoe is still out of contract at Hull FC with six games of the regular season to go, but the veteran – who scored his 100th try for the club against Salford Red Devils last Sunday – is still cool and collected about the situation.
Even after a month that has been a bit unorthodox, with Briscoe an unused interchange at Wigan, then an interchange against Huddersfield, then a starter against Salford, his stance hasn’t changed: do his best and see what happens.
That professionalism has served Briscoe well throughout his career, with the player making no secret of his desire to remain at Hull into the 2026 season. But for now, he wants to let his rugby do the talking as he looks to maintain his spot in John Cartwright’s side.
Asked by Hull Live if he’s still knocking on the head coach’s door, Briscoe said, tongue in cheek: “I’m still trying. I still want to play on and I obviously enjoy being at the club. But like I said to you before, I just concentrate on playing and hopefully all that will take care of itself.”
He continued: “I suppose it’s just the same approach: do my job for the team when I get the opportunity, whether that’s from the bench, coming on and trying to make an impact or whether that’s starting.
“I’ll always do my best to carry the ball, get quick play the balls, get us going forward, and do the little things that I’ve based my game on all my career and just see where that takes me.
“Jordan (Rapana) couldn’t play (against Salford), so it’s just a week-by-week thing. We’ll see how it goes and take it as it comes, but if I do get another starting chance, I’ll try and take that with both hands and do my job, and if it’s from the bench, I’ll still do what I need to do.”
Next up for Hull is Saturday’s clash against Leigh Leopards – the third meeting of the sides this season. And while the Black and Whites were comfortable winners at Leigh Sports Village back in May, the round four meeting at the MKM Stadium was a humdinger of a contest.
Swinging one way and then the other, it was Lewis Martin’s last-minute try that sent the game to golden point – and then the chaos truly began, with one controversial moment still standing out in the memory
And despite Briscoe’s foot being on the line when he caught a Leigh restart, the officials, including the video referee, didn’t see it that way. Hull were denied the penalty that could have seen them set up for a drop goal, with ten frantic minutes of play ending in a draw.
“Apparently not,” Brisoce smirked when reminded his foot was on the line. “But no, it was a very close game. It went down to extra time, and we drew after that so it’s an exciting game coming up.
“Obviously, they’re pushing for a top two spot and we’re pushing for a play-off spot. So, especially after the last game between both teams, it’s exciting, and I suppose the story that comes along with that of the players that were there last year – it’s a big game for us.
“There’s a bit of extra motivation, but I think for where we’re at as a team and a club, it’s one we’ll be looking at to put in a good performance and try and get another two points.”
As well as Briscoe, Hull are expected to field former Leigh players John Asiata and Zak Hardaker, with a lot said last year about the talent FC lured from the Leopards. But now it’s all focus on Saturday – with Hull looking to get just their third win on their home ground this year.
“We’ve had a bit of a poor run at home,” Briscoe said. “But it’s about confidence in this game and we can take a lot of confidence from executing those moments against Salford and taking the opportunities in front of us.
“That’s all we can ask for as a team and as a club: that when we get that moment to shine, we take it and we score tries.”