Shaun Briscoe operated in the shadows of Kris Radlinski at Wigan Warriors and Paul Wellens at international level for several years, but the Hull Kingston Rovers full back has the chance to stake a permanent claim to an England place against France at Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris tomorrow.

Born in Wigan, nothing has come easy for the 26-year-old in a career that has taken him from the Warriors to Hull and across the city to Rovers, for whom he has been a bedrock of the defence in their climb to second place in the engage Super League.

“My parents instilled a great work ethic in me at an early age,” said Briscoe, whose misshapen nose comes from years of sticking it in places where others fear to tread. “You have to graft for these chances and make the most of them.

“You learn to take the knocks going for the high balls. I'm not the fastest, biggest or most skilful player, but I pride myself on the effort I put in. Paul Wellens has held the No1 shirt for a few years. It's mine to lose now.”

Tony Smith, the England coach, has confirmed that Scott Moore, who is uncapped, will start at hooker ahead of James Roby, one of only seven survivors in the team from last year's World Cup and who will start on the bench. Ryan Hall, the Super League's leading tryscorer, is the other newcomer on the wing.

Sam Burgess takes the place of the injured Sean O'Loughlin at loose forward and the uncapped duo of Sam Tomkins and Joe Westerman are omitted. “In some ways I'd like to play them at full strength, but we're not going to worry too much about who they play or don't play,” Smith said of France's injury problems.