Mike Brown interview: 'I'm not here to go through the motions - I'm here to win'

What a fabulous asset Mike is!One of the greatest Quins ever.And Eddie am much better 15 than Daly and his absolute commitment rubs off in the whole squad.

Mike Brown focused on regaining England place: 'I'm not here to go through motions - I'm here to win'
by
 Mick Cleary, rugby union correspondent
18 DECEMBER 2018 • 10:00PM



Harlequins full-back Mike Brown believes he is playing better than he has ever done and has set his sights on reclaiming his place in the England squad for the World Cup in Japan.

Brown, who had been a virtual ever-present in the England team since Stuart Lancaster first took over in 2012, was dropped by Eddie Jones for the first time in his career for the Autumn Internationals. The set-back, though, has served to fuel the fires in the ultra-competitive 33 year-old, who has flourished under new management at Harlequins where former England defence coach Paul Gustard picked up the reins in the close season. Brown describes the last couple of years at the club, pre-Gustard, as ‘awful’, and the reconfigured set-up has given him fresh impetus.   

“I’m competitive and I’m at the top of my game,” said Brown, speaking at length for the first time about being left out following the October trainings camp in Portugal. “England is in the back of mind as always. I feel great. If you see me in training I’m a different person, so enthusiastic. I get excited about going out to training. I know the sort of player I am and the level I am at so I have no doubt I can get back there (to England) if I keep working as I do.

“The last couple of years have been awful. I wasn’t enjoying it at all. It was tough. I want to win things. I don’t want to rely on going away with England to enjoy my rugby. Now I feel like I’m genuinely getting better as a player, genuinely able to express myself, in games, in training.

“Training is so much better in terms of trying stuff, learning and then being able to transfer that onto the field. It is just backing myself with whatever I do. Whether it be picking from a base of a ruck or going for an offload. My offloading game has increased, and I think my defence has always been good. It is all those things that make me the player I am. I am getting involved all over the field but there is so much more I can do. You just crack on as normal. Quins pay me and you have to do your job.”

Brown has been eclipsed in the England ranks by Elliot Daly, who has started the last seven Tests at full-back, while Bath’s Anthony Watson is due to return from injury in the New Year. Brown’s last start for England in the No 15 shirt was against Scotland in February yet he showed his versatility, as well as competitive edge, when scoring tries in the first two Tests against South Africa in June. Gustard was still involved with England at that time.   

“I am always surprised when Mike Brown is not involved,” said Gustard. “When I was there he was the mainstay of the team. He is the most capped full-back England have ever had. Mike will go down as one of the greats and will be the most capped Harlequin of all time so to not have that guy in the England team is surprising.


 Mike Brown in action against Australia
Mike Brown was once a guaranteed starter for England CREDIT: AFP
“I am sure he has a sizeable future for England up to and including the World Cup. He gives us and England what no other full-back can do. I am sure his return to an England starting jersey isn’t far away. His performance recently against Exeter was outstanding. That’s why we love him – that’s why fans up and down the country love him. They see a guy who is willing to fight for everything. He is the most competitive person I have seen on a rugby field. He is right up there with Owen Farrell, Martin Johnson, Brad Barritt and Jacques Burger. He is as competitive as any of them – his will and want to win is as high as anyone. Mike is a real driver for this team. The one thing this club didn’t have last year was tenacity, but Mike Brown is Tenacity with a capital T.”


 Mike Brown squares up to Nic White
Mike Brown has always been ultra-competitive CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
Brown’s presence has certainly been one of the factors behind Harlequins’ decent start to the Premiership after the disappointment of last season when they finished 10th. They are currently fifth and head to troubled Leicester on Saturday looking to secure back-to-back victories for the first time in any competitions in 12 months. Brown admits that their defence was ‘a bit of a disgrace’ over the last couple of years and that a sense of being ‘too comfortable’ led to things ending ‘as a complete disaster’. Brown is focussed on helping bring success to the Stoop.

“I’m not just here to go through the motions and end my career thinking I just got through it,” said Brown. “I’m not running around in the freezing cold to have a laugh. I’m here to win things.”

Big Game 11: Harlequins v Wasps on Saturday 29th December, kick-off: 4pm tickets.quins.co.uk

By far England's best FB right now. But Jones knows what he adds- don't see any issues in him seeing whether Daly can step up (as a player, yes, as a FB, jury currently out but if he does it adds a lot more variety to the squad and otherwise England are in trouble without Brown. Need at least 2 international standard starters in every position, ideally 3 in case we get unlucky)

I just love his attitude. He is so uncompromising and so driven. Great to hear he's enjoying his rugby again.

Daly showed consistently in the AI's that he's vulnerable under the high ball. International coaches will have observed that and will target that aspect in the World Cup. When the pressure is on I think Eddie will opt for the stability, experience and confidence that Mike brings to the team.

Always Said Brown Outstanding.

And So Bleedin' Obvious!

Reminds me of Popeye in that first photo