By Julian Shea

Briscoe's bravery has ensured his nose no longer sits straight

Squad numbers and names on shirts may help fans identify players, but the laundry department at Hull Kingston Rovers can probably recognise Shaun Briscoe's kit without any need to check the details on the back.

The fair-haired full-back, still only 25, has earned himself a reputation as one of the most fearless players in Super League - he has the scars to prove it - so it is no surprise his kit is often the muddiest at the end of the game.

And on Sunday he will be hurling himself into the thick of the action against some familiar faces when Rovers take on city rivals Hull FC at the Millennium Stadium.

Briscoe spent three years at the KC Stadium, during which time Hull FC won the Challenge Cup and reached the Grand Final, before his move across the city in the close season.

Swapping one Hull for another can be a severe test of character - just ask Paul Cooke - but, so far, Briscoe is loving every minute of his time at Craven Park.

"When the move came along there were lots of plusses but quite a few minuses, too," he told BBC Sport.

It's my dream to play at the World Cup but there's a lot of good quality competition around so I'll just get my head down and work hard Shaun Briscoe

"We weren't sure if Rovers would stay up and I was going from a so-called top-six club to one that had finished 11th.

"But I had a chat with the coach, who told me the players he was planning to bring in, and it became clear the club had ambition and that it was the right step to take.

"I was living in Hull already, so I didn't have to move my family, which was a big plus. I'm excited by the future of Hull KR."

The coach who persuaded Billinge-born Briscoe his future lay with Rovers is Justin Morgan.

"We weren't actively looking for a full-back but when a player of Shaun's quality becomes available, we knew he'd be a great addition to our team," he revealed.

"He's very much enjoying being at a new club and having the responsibility we've given him. That often brings out the best in players, and it's certainly bringing out the best in him."

Briscoe found chances few and far between at Wigan

Off the field, Briscoe is softly spoken. On it, he admits to plenty of shouting and screaming at his team-mates.

"He's a great organiser at full-back, which you need to be offensively and defensively," said Morgan.

But that's not all.

"His last line of defence is as good as anyone in the game and he's got more supports than anyone else in our team by a country mile," added his coach.

"I suppose all full-backs do it, but it's the quantity and quality that he produces every week that make him a top-level player."

Briscoe's performances have certainly caught the eye this season, and he will be hoping for another impressive display against his old team-mates on Sunday.

And if the former Wigan player, who began his career as cover for a certain Kris Radlinski, continues to impress, then England coach Tony Smith may well come knocking.

Predictably, Briscoe is modest about his chances of wearing a different kind of red and white shirt later this year.

"It's my dream to play at the World Cup but Paul Wellens is outstanding, and there's others around like Richie Mathers at Wigan and Michael Platt at Bradford," he said.

He puts his body on the line and sticks his head in where the collision is - I don't think he'd look out of place in a Test side Hull KR coach Justin Morgan

"There's a lot of good quality competition around, so I'll just get my head down and work hard."

A nose which twists in as many ways as the River Humber is testament to just how much Briscoe does get his head down when he goes to work, and Morgan says his lion-hearted approach is worthy of recognition beyond the boundaries of East Hull.

"He puts his body on the line and sticks his head in where the collision is - I don't think he'd look out of place in a Test side," said Morgan.

"I know there's a couple of decent full-backs in this country, but I'd like to think he's got to be considered for selection because he gives 110%.

"Tony Smith can do a lot worse than Shaun at full-back. He's shown he can play on the wing, too, and have a look at some of his acts of bravery. That's the sort of person you need in Test matches."