England full-back Mike Brown revealed his spectacular diving catch in the
13-10 Six Nations win over Ireland
was inspired by Peter Schmeichel.
The Manchester United fan made the potential try-saving intervention to block Brian O’Driscoll’s low kick under heavy pressure in a frantic first-half.
Brown honed his goalkeeping in drills with Harlequins team-mate Danny Care.
“We call it Schmeichel,” said the 28-year-old, referencing the former Manchester United goalkeeper.
Six Nations table
Pld
Won
For
Against
Pts
Ireland
3
2
64
22
4
England
3
2
57
36
4
Wales
3
2
53
47
4
France
3
2
62
61
4
Scotland
3
0
27
68
2
Italy
3
0
45
74
0
Brown, who was named
for the second successive game, added: “Myself and Danny play a game when we are warming up at Quins. We just blast balls at each other to see if we can save them.
“I’m the last line of defence. I have to do everything I can to make sure the ball doesn’t go behind me because I know we’re in a bit of strife if it does.”
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt hailed Brown’s feat of athleticism as the game’s defensive highlight.
Brown was England’s
stand-out player in the autumn internationals,
but his growing influence in attack has lifted his involvement to a new level.
“Mike brings another string to our bow. attack-wise,” said head coach Stuart Lancaster. “His ability to beat the first defender is exceptional. He did it from minute one against Ireland.
“Now he’s also a bigger attacking threat in the final third. He’s always secure under the high ball and is the last line of defence.
“It’s not often you win man-of-the-match two weeks running but he has done it.
“His competitiveness is a trademark of his and that is a trait we want in the team.”
Stuart Lancaster’s side can lift the Triple Crown if they see off Wales in round four at Twickenham on 9 March, while the title is a now a four-way fight between England, Wales, Ireland and France.
Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26107462
Six Nations 2014: England"s Mike Brown inspired by Schmeichel
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