Mike Brown relishing his start – Rugby News Update
Mike Brown, the 26-year-old Harlequins and England fullback, who is equally adept on the wing, is set to start the first test against South Africa in Durban.
England is currently on tour in South Africa, where they will play a three-match test series against the Springboks, along with playing two other midweek games.
"I am massively over the moon to be given this opportunity," said Brown. "It has been a long time since I have been here and I am just massively looking forward to it. It has been hard work getting here and I have got to repay Stuart now for putting me in."
Lancaster is going for a change of strategy, moving Ben Foden, who usually plays as a fullback, to the wings in place of the injured David Strettle. Brown was not fazed by the challenge even though the Springboks boast world-class players in their ranks.
"They have got a world-class kicker in (Morne) Steyn so I need to be on my mettle and focused the whole 80 minutes. I can't wait to get on the pitch and wear that 15 jersey again," Brown said.
Brown was part of Lancaster’s squad that played in the 2012 Six Nations Grand Slam, coming on as a substitute thrice during the tournament. He comes on the back of an impressive season with Quins, who won the Aviva Premiership, defeating the Tigers in the
final.
Brown is a product of the Quins' academy, making his first team bow in the 2005/06 season. He played in the 2006 Junior World Champions and earned his first call-up to the national team against South Africa at Bloemfontein, on May 26, 2007.
The fullback wants to concentrate on each game as it comes, and not think too much about the future. He did that during the season with the Quins, and he wants to emulate the same for this tour. Brown believes that it is a massive challenge for England to
win against the Springboks.
This first test-match is intriguingly setup with both teams out to win, and whoever wins the first game will gain the advantage.
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