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By Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent
Mike Brown says it was”heartbreaking” to miss out on England’s Rugby World Cup squad and thinks he remains the country’s greatest full-back.
Even the 34-year-old, that won the last of his 72 caps was included in pre-World Cup coaching camps but wasn’t appointed in Eddie Jones’ group.
“I attempted to put everything that I had on the practice field, but it wasn’t enough in the long run,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“That’s the character of team sport and selection – it is 1 person’s view.”
Brown played for England but thinks he remains capable of performing at the maximum level.
“I feel like I’m the best English full-back, also I think I showed 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 could do is show about the area the player I’m and the character that I am. That is what I did last year [for Harlequins], therefore I shall just keep going.”
Brown was also involved through a team social on a camp in Treviso in an altercation with center Ben Te’o, but is still loath to go into details out of respect for the remaining part of the squad.
Although head coach Jones has yet to clarify whether the incident had any bearing in their axing both Te’o and Brown were lost out of the group after.
“I really don’t feel comfortable going into details once the guys over there are preparing for a enormous championship,” Brown explained.
“People who are close to me – my friends and family, the ones who actually matter – understand what happened and that’s the most crucial thing for me personally.
“There will be a time when I’ll talk about what occurred. But in the moment I have attempted to stick to the team ethos.
“It is not for me to draw attention away [from England’s World Cup preparations] and speak about other things that went on.”
Having just turned 34, Brown is still unlikely to play for England but reflects fondly on the highs and lows of an global career.
“It’s incredible. For any rugby player it’s the best job in the world,” he explained.
“We have paid very nicely and we get to encounter such awesome things doing this particular job.
“However, what comes with this is the examination as well as the frustration of working so hard and not getting selected for some thing. But that’s the nature of it.”
Brown says that he has no regrets about anything that went on insisting that he did all he could to get selection for the showpiece in Japan.
“I moved into pre-season peaks at the very best shape I have ever been intrained each second of each moment. So I don’t have any regrets at all about the past calendar year,” he added.
“On the plus side it’s given me some wonderful memories and quality time with my family, having to spend additional time with my son and my spouse, I haven’t been able to do within the previous eight years.
“You have to look at those advantages. I have come to be with my Quins team-mates, which is tough to do when you’re currently searching for England.
“I would love to have been concerned with England, but I got to go around the [pre-season bonding] trip to Ibiza with the Quins men, and be a part of an environment that has grown really powerful.”
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