WIGAN Warriors Assistant Coach Lee Briers is moving to the NRL with the Brisbane Broncos at the end of this season.

The St Helens-born former Saints half back joined Wigan in October 2021 as part of their new Coaching Team.

Prior to that he spent 25 years at Warrington as a player and coach after departing Saints in 1997.

Briers told Wigan TV: “It’s come out of the blue. I’ve always had an ambition to go to Australia to test myself and an opportunity has arisen to go to the NRL.

“I understand that this opportunity only arises because of the playing group and the staff.

"It wouldn’t have happened if the boys didn’t buy into what we do as coaching staff – there’s massive credit to the boys. This group of players are by far the most close-knit group of players who want to learn every day. They are unbelievable. They’ve taken me in, trusted me and they’ve delivered. Also, Matt Peet gives me that trust. Me and Matt go further than just coaching.

"When my mum passed away, he was the first one to come and grab me. He’s always had the trust in me and hopefully I’ve repaid my bit.

“I’ve actually loved coming into training each morning. Some people call it work – this isn’t work when you love it so much. People will say if you love it so much why will you leave, it’s not a case of that, it’s a case of wanting to go and experience something which has been burning inside of me since I was 15 years of age when I first toured Australia for the North West Counties.

“I keep catching myself thinking – I’m a St Helens fan through and through and I worked at Warrington for 25 years, but this is the place that has genuinely grabbed me without a shadow or a doubt. This place is something special and I’ll hold this dear to my heart.”