Monday, 16 December 2013

Mike Brown on his topsy turvy year with England and Harlequins


By

Ian Stafford




PUBLISHED:


00:34, 15 December 2013




|

UPDATED:


00:34, 15 December 2013




It’s been a stunning season for Mike Brown — the stroppy, in-your-face England and Harlequins full-back who was the star of the autumn internationals. But the 28-year-old insists the season has not all been great.


‘I’m still smarting over losing to the All Blacks,’ he admits as he settles into an armchair at the home in Surrey he shares with his girlfriend Eliza, founder of fashion company Scarlett Black and daughter of former England football star Tony Woodcock. ‘We had them on the ropes but we couldn’t finish them off, and that’s a big lesson.’


Next up: On Sunday, Brown plays for Quins against Racing Metro in the Heineken Cup


Next up: On Sunday, Brown plays for Quins against Racing Metro in the Heineken Cup



On Sunday, Brown plays for Quins against Racing Metro in the Heineken Cup, and it is clear that it is his attitude on the pitch, as much as his talent, which has got him to where he is.


‘I feel like a completely different person as soon as I step on to a rugby pitch. Most of the time I’m shy, hate talking in public and keep myself to myself. But when I’m on a pitch I feel like the most confident person in the world.


‘I guess I’ve felt like it’s me against the world for much of my life. It’s been a case of, “Sod you, I’ll show you”. I was never the biggest or the best. I failed to play county or representative rugby and I didn’t go to a rugby-playing school. Nothing’s ever come easily for me in rugby.’


Then there is his father, also Mike, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. ‘Dad struggles to get around these days,’ Brown says. ‘He doesn’t get to rugby games much any more because it’s hard on my stepmum to push him around all day.


Nearly: Brown admits he is still smarting over the loss to the All Blacks last month, and says they had them on the ropes


Nearly: Brown admits he is still smarting over the loss to the All Blacks last month, and says they had them on the ropes



‘I remember the first time I was aware there was a problem when we went to watch a game at Twickenham, and as we jogged back he tripped over a kerb and fell. Later it came out that he was struggling to lift his leg.


‘It’s hard seeing him in a chair. It forced him to give up working for the fire service and now from watching live games.’


His dad’s condition prompted Brown to become involved with wheelchair rugby after Tony Woodcock alerted him to the sport. ‘I love how they smash into each other and the physicality of the sport,’ he says.


As for Woodcock, the former Nottingham Forest European Cup-winner, Arsenal and FC Cologne player, rugby has become his favoured sport. He watches all the rugby Test matches now.’


Away from rugby, Brown is an ardent Manchester United fan who admits he was delighted when David Beckham came to watch England beat Argentina in November.


Another side: Brown insists it


Another side: Brown insists it’s not been all cheers and success this season



‘During the second half the forwards were packing down and I was focused on the move we were hoping to produce. Suddenly, I heard a gasp from the crowd, looked up and saw Becks on the big screen. Even though it was in the middle of the second half I lost my focus for a few seconds.


‘Afterwards, I was praying he’d pop into the dressing room to say hello but he didn’t.’


Brown got luckier when it came to his two rugby league heroes. ‘I used to watch rugby league on the BBC all the time with my dad, especially Wigan, and especially Jason Robinson and Andy Farrell.


‘Can you imagine my delight when on my first tour with England in 2008 to South Africa they were both in the England squad? And now Faz is my backs coach with England.’


Yet the man Brown owes most to is Harlequins director of rugby and former Ireland full-back, Conor O’Shea. So close are the pair that the Quins players refer to O’Shea as Brown’s dad.


‘Conor makes it worse because he says he wants to talk to his son when looking for me. After that kind of comment I get battered by the boys. But Conor’s hugely supportive. He promised me I’d play for England, even when I was questioning it myself. I guess he kept his promise.’


Connection: Brown


Connection: Brown’s father was introduced to wheelchair rugby by former Nottingham Forest and Arsenal footballer Tony Woodcock










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Article source: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/other-sports/351066/Rugby-Union-Owen-Farrell-s-history-lessons


Mike Brown on his topsy turvy year with England and Harlequins
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