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By Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent
Mike Brown says that it was”heartbreaking” to miss out on England’s Rugby World Cup squad also thinks he remains the nation’s best full-back.
Even the 34-year-old, that won the last of his own 72 caps was included in pre-World Cup coaching camps but wasn’t named in Eddie Jones’ 31-man squad.
“I attempted to put everything that I had on the practice field, but it was not sufficient in the end,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“That’s the character of team sport and selection – it’s 1 person’s view.”
Brown played for England but thinks he remains capable of performing at the highest level.
“I really feel like I’m the very greatest English full-back, also that I believe I demonstrated that last season,” he explained.
“I still think my game is changing and evolving all of the time, along with my body still feels good.
“All I can do is show about the area the player I am and also the character that I am. That is what I did last year [to get Harlequins], therefore I shall just keep going.”
Brown was included through a team social on a training camp in Treviso in an off-the-field altercation with centre Ben Te’o, but is loath to go into details out of respect for the remainder of the squad.
Though head coach Jones has yet to explain whether the incident had some bearing on their axing both Brown and Te’o were lost from the squad shortly afterwards.
“I really don’t feel comfortable going into specifics once the men over there are getting ready for a gigantic tournament,” Brown explained.
“People who are close to me – my family and friends, the people who actually matter – know what happened and that is the most important thing for me.
“There will be a time when I’ll speak about what occurred. But at the moment I have always tried to adhere to the group ethos.
“It’s not for me to draw away attention [from England’s World Cup preparations] and speak about anything else that went on.”
Brown is unlikely to play for England but reflects about the highs and lows of a international career.
“It’s wonderful. For any rugby player it’s the best job on the planet,” he explained.
“We have paid very nicely and we get to encounter such amazing things doing this job.
“However, what comes with this is the examination as well as the heartache of working really hard and never getting selected for something. But that’s the nature of this.”
Brown also says he has no regrets about anything that went on insisting that he did all he could to get selection.
“I went to pre-season camps in the best shape I have ever been intrained every second of every minute. I have no regrets at all about the past year,” he further added.
“On the plus side it’s given me some incredible memories and quality time with my loved ones, having to spend additional time with my child and my spouse, which I haven’t been able to do within the previous eight decades.
“You must appear at these positives. I have also come to be with my Quins team-mates, which is difficult when you are currently searching for England to do.
“I would love to have been involved with England, but I must go to the [pre-season bonding] trip to Ibiza with the Quins guys, and be a part of an environment which has grown extremely powerful.”
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