Wigan Warriors Briscoe was born in
Higher End, in the
Wigan area, and grew up in nearby
Hindley, and attended
Winstanley College. He started his rugby career at
Wigan playing for the Academy side before making his first team début for Wigan against
Castleford in 2002. A year later Briscoe was named in Wigan's first team squad for that season. He was the regular full back for Wigan for 3 months in the absence of the injured
Kris Radlinski. Briscoe played well making 28 appearances and scoring 11 tries but he was dropped from the squad when Kris Radlinski returned. He was disappointed to have lost his place but said "I'll be fighting for a place, and I can play centre or wing as well. I'm only young and to get so many first team games this season has been an unexpected bonus. I'll continue to train hard and play my best and see how things pan out. If things haven't worked out by the end of next year then I may have to think about going somewhere else, but it would really hurt me to have to leave my home town club." Many Wigan fans saw Briscoe as the replacement for Radlinski once he retired but due to salary cap restrictions and Shaun's desire to play first team rugby he was released from his Wigan contract and joined Hull F.C. in December 2003. His biggest achievement though, came in 2004 when he was selected into the Super League dream team ahead of players such as Paul Wellens, Kris Radlinski and Daryl Cardiss
Hull F.C. Briscoe made an impact at Hull and became their regular first team fullback. He became the first Hull player to score four tries in one match giving Hull their first win at the Bradford Bulls in the
Super League. He played an important role in Hull's Challenge Cup run in 2005 but missed the final due to appendicitis. Hull went on to win the match and Briscoe was given a winning medal for being in the squad. In 2006, he spent part of the season playing on the wing to cover for injuries in the Hull squad. Hull reached the
2006 Super League Grand final to be contested against
St Helens, and Briscoe played at in his side's 4–26 loss at
Old Trafford, putting in a tackle into touch on
Ade Gardner, and a tackle to stop
Jamie Lyon.
Hull Kingston Rovers Briscoe signed for
Hull Kingston Rovers on a two-year contract in September 2007. He missed out on the England squad for the France game in early 2008 through injury. Again the season Briscoe proved he is one of the most consistent performers in super league, his displays and bravery gained praise from John Kear and Justin Morgan. He made his Hull Kingston Rovers début against
Leeds which Hull KR narrowly lost 20–12. However he scored his first try for the Robins a week later at home to
St. Helens in a thrilling 24–22 victory. In 2009 he scored his first hat trick for the club in an away 46–28 win at
Castleford. Some brilliant performances throughout 2009 made sure that he was
England Rugby League full back for
Four Nations campaign. Shaun's 50th appearance came on the opening day of the 2010
Super League season, which Rovers won 30–12 against
Salford.
Widnes Vikings Briscoe spent two seasons with
Widnes before retiring in 2013. ==International career==