Ryan Brierley Explained

Ryan "Kes" Brierley
Fullname:Ryan Brierley
Birth Date:12 March 1992
Birth Place:Preston, Lancashire, England
Height:5feet
Weight:12st
Club1:Leigh Centurions
Year1start:2012
Year1end:16
Appearances1:125
Tries1:133
Goals1:26
Fieldgoals1:4
Points1:588
Year2start:2016
Year2end:17
Appearances2:26
Tries2:15
Goals2:2
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:64
Club3:Toronto Wolfpack
Year3start:2017
Year3end:19
Appearances3:40
Tries3:26
Goals3:83
Fieldgoals3:2
Points3:272
Year4start:2019
Appearances4:13
Tries4:11
Goals4:21
Fieldgoals4:1
Points4:87
Year5start:2020
Appearances5:10
Tries5:3
Goals5:8
Fieldgoals5:0
Points5:28
Club6:Leigh Centurions
Year6start:2021
Appearances6:10
Tries6:5
Goals6:12
Fieldgoals6:0
Points6:44
Year7start:2022
Year7end:present
Appearances7:26
Tries7:12
Goals7:6
Fieldgoals7:0
Points7:60
Teama:Scotland
Yearastart:2016
Yearaend:present
Appearancesa:9
Triesa:3
Goalsa:18
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:48
New:yes
Source:[1] [2]
Updated:31 December 2022

Ryan Brierley (born 12 March 1992) is a Scotland international rugby league footballer who plays as a goal-kicking or for the Salford Red Devils in the Betfred Super League.

He previously played for the Leigh Centurions over two separate spells in the Championship and in the Super League. Brierley has also played for the Huddersfield Giants in the top flight and the Toronto Wolfpack in the lower tiers, and spent time on loan from Toronto at the Centurions in the second tier.

Background

Brierley was born in Preston, Lancashire, England. After moving to Bolton as a two-year old, Brierley played junior rugby with local club Westhoughton Lions.[3]

Club career

Early career

Brierley joined Castleford Tigers academy in 2009, and appeared in a first team friendly for Castleford early in 2012, scoring a try against York City Knights.

Leigh Centurions

After failing to get an opportunity in the first team with Castleford, Brierley joined Leigh Centurions. Brierley's first appearance for the club came on Saturday 7 January 2012 when he scored two tries in a friendly victory away to Super League neighbours Salford.

He became a prolific try-scorer at the club, finishing as the club's top try-scorer for four consecutive seasons between 2012 and 2015. He moved into the club's top 5 all-time leading try-scorers with 133 in 125 appearances following a two-try display against Bradford Bulls on 28 February 2016, which was his last match for the club.[4]

Huddersfield

After triggering a clause in his contract, Brierley left Leigh and joined Super League club Huddersfield Giants on a four-and-a-half-year contract in March 2016.[5]

Toronto Wolfpack

Brierley signed with the Toronto Wolfpack for an undisclosed transfer fee in April 2017.[6]

Hull Kingston Rovers

Brierley signed with Hull Kingston Rovers in December 2019.[7] Rovers finished bottom of the table, avoiding relegation following former club Toronto's exit from the competition.[8]

Leigh Centurions (rejoined)

After just one season with Hull KR, Brierley returned to Leigh for the 2021 season.[9]

In July, Brierley was ruled out indefinitely with an eye injury,[10] but returned before the end of the season to score a hat-trick against Wakefield Trinity, Leigh's second victory of the season.[11]

Salford Red Devils

On 20 September 2021, Brierley signed for Salford in the Super League, the club he supported as a child.[12] Brierley played 26 games for Salford in the 2022 Super League season including the clubs semi-final loss against St Helens. In the 2023 Super League season, Brierley played 26 games for Salford as the club finished 7th on the table.[13]

International career

Though born in England, Brierley's family is from Kilwinning in North Ayrshire, and thus he qualifies to play for Scotland at international level.[14] He made his Scotland début in the 2016 Four Nations, scoring a try in a defeat by Australia.

Honours

2014, 2015

2017

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ryan Brierley. loverugbyleague.com. 2015-06-07.
  2. http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/ryan-brierley/summary.html Rugby League Project
  3. Web site: Out of Your League with Salford Red Devils' Ryan Brierley. 24 August 2023. 23 August 2023.
  4. News: Turley praises Brierley's achievement in reaching top five try scorers. Leigh Journal.
  5. News: Ryan Brierley leaves Leigh to join Huddersfield Giants. Manchester Evening News.
  6. News: Toronto Wolfpack sign Huddersfield Giants and Scotland international Ryan Brierley. 20 April 2017. 24 August 2023. Sky Sports.
  7. News: Hull Kingston Rovers sign Jamie Ellis and Ryan Brierley. 24 August 2023. 6 December 2019. Sky Sports.
  8. News: Toronto Wolfpack exit Super League season. 24 August 2023. 20 July 2020. The Guardian.
  9. Web site: Ryan Brierley returns to Leigh. 30 Oct 2020. 24 Dec 2020. Love Rugby League.
  10. Web site: Leigh's Ryan Brierley to see specialist about horrific eye injury. Leigh Journal. 8 July 2021 .
  11. News: Leigh Centurions 26-18 Wakefield Trinity. BBC Sport .
  12. Web site: Love Rugby League. 20 Sep 2021. 31 Dec 2021. Ryan Brierley to join boyhood club Salford.
  13. Web site: Salford Red Devils' 2023 season in review. www.salfordnow.co.uk. 2 October 2023 .
  14. http://www.totalrl.com/brierley-admits-scotland-debut-highlight-career/ Brierley admits Scotland début is highlight of his career