SAD LEE BRIERS' CUP PACT

LEE BRIERS has picked out a poignant resting place for the most famous trophy in rugby league - on his tragic brother's grave.

Briers plans to take the huge silver pot inside the cemetery near his home in St Helens if he helps Warrington win the Challenge Cup for the first time in 35 years next Saturday.

That is where his brother Brian is buried after losing his fight against cancer.

Warrington stand-off Briers revealed: "It would be good to win and take the Cup along to show Brian."

Briers is convinced his brother is watching over him, after inspiring Wolves to their semi- final victory over Wigan which fell on what would have been Brian's 43rd birthday.

Briers said: "I am a big believer in fate and for that to happen was freakish. I didn't believe that anything bad was going to happen because my brother wouldn't have wanted that. I believe it was meant to be."

Brian died eight years ago, and Lee admitted that the tragedy put the skids under his career.

He said: "I went off the rails for a few years. I liked a drink. I always gave 100 per cent in games but I thought there were more things to worry about than rugby. But now I'm back on track."

Briers claim is backed up by Tony Smith, who vowed to wipe out the club's drinking culture when he took over as coach in March.

Briers said: "Tony told me the perception of me was that I liked a drink and wasn't focused. He said I was starting with a clean slate. Once Tony got to know me he realised I'm not that person any more. From day one we got on like a house on fire."

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