That thought crossed my mind during the game - Briers was obviously taking the mick (it was ever thus) so if he'd have ended up being mowed down by a rampaging prop forward, he'd only have himself to blame.

Am I right in thinking that if the ball struck Briers from an opposition player it would be a scrum with feed to the opposition? Take the ball up to Briers on tackle 4 or 5 & deliberately pass it at him.

I don't think there is any hysteria. It's clearly being noted, as Briers himself is on Twitter criticising everyone who moans about it.

It's wrong. These are professional players we're talking about here. They don't need a coach in the line with them, positioning them and telling them what to do each play. That is what Briers was doing, he wasn't managing substitutions like the rules say or passing a single message like the rules say. He was actively coaching them at crucial points in the game. It's like watching an Under 8's game, with the coach calling numbers to ensure everyone gets a go with the ball.

It adds nothing to the game, it doesn't enhance safety or player welfare, so I can't see any reason for coaches to be allowed on the field. The only people who should be allowed on the field should be medical staff.

Watching the Saints v HKR game from a couple of weeks ago, there was a point when Saints put a bomb up and the HKR physio/trainer/watercarrier sprinted into the midst of the kick chase line. It was so blatant it must be a coached tactic.

would love to see that!

Briers isn't a water carrier, he's a coach.
Thanks.

Doesn't matter, he's still breaking the rules. He's allowed to come on to organise substitutions, and remain on the field for 3 play the balls only. He's also allowed to pass messages to individual players.

He's not meant to be coaching the side through entire sets, going to the trouble of positioning players and dictating plays.

I'm not suggesting Briers' is unique in doing this, a lot of clubs do it when they are struggling. It needs cutting out.

Isn't this just an issue since he's more high profile than the other team's guys who spend around the same time on the pitch doing similar things ?

Didn't a Huddersfield water carrier injure a player once by getting in the way whilst retrieving a kick.
What's the difference in Briers running on the pitch giving instructions to a player being given the instruction from the side of the pitch, for me it keeps the game flowing or you would have players going down injured to effectively have a time out scenario to get the instructions from the bench. Any supporter who doesn't think their team does this is blind. All teams have personnel on the bench who are there to run on the pitch and give instructions. The fact that Lee Briers was a player that other teams used to loath is the only reason this post is here. If no one knew who he was we wouldn't be discussing it.

Actually most teams don't do it, they tend to send someone on after a trys been scored or someone on with a kicking tee etc. Anderson wont do it, it proper winds him up when other do it. In play is only pushed by a few teams, hkr were shocking with it using hodgson at the giants a few weeks back.

This exactly. Every single team in the league does this, just Briers gets noticed.

Henry Fa'afili got injured by a water carrier at Huddersfield probably about ten years ago, we conceded a try off it as well. It's already been referenced on this thread that Sean Long once put on a headset mid game and had a chat with Ian Millward who was sat in the stand at Wilderspool.

It isn't just cos it's Lee Briers. Who, although I can see how he'd get on peoples' wick, I always thought was a very good footballer indeed. But that's neither here nor there. Yes, all teams will try to bend the rules, but this is an abuse, and unchecked, it seems to getting worse. Action should be taken.

Nice to see that almost two years after he retired Briers is still getting up opposition fans noses.

Perhaps he should be the water carrier instead then !

He must feel part of the team now, just waiting for him to kick a "water bottle" for a 40-20 very soon.