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By Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent
Mike Brown says it was”dreadful” to miss out on England’s Rugby World Cup squad also believes he is still the nation’s greatest full-back.
Even the 34-year-old, who won the last of the 72 caps in 2018, was included in pre-World Cup coaching camps but was not appointed in Eddie Jones’ group.
“I attempted to put everything that I had on the training field, but it wasn’t enough in the long run,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“That’s the character of team game and choice – it’s 1 man’s opinion.”
Brown last played for England last summer but thinks he remains capable of doing at the maximum level.
“I really feel as if I’m the best English full-back, and I think I revealed that last year,” he said.
“I think my game is changing and evolving all the time, along with my body still feels great.
“All I can do is show to the field the player I am and the character that I am. That is what I did last year [for Harlequins], so I shall just keep going.”
Brown was also involved during a team social on a camp in Treviso in an off-the-field altercation with centre Ben Te’o, but is loath to go for the rest of the group.
Though head coach Jones has yet to explain whether the incident had any bearing in their axing both Brown and Te’o were dropped from the group soon after.
“I really don’t feel comfortable going into details once the guys around are getting ready for a gigantic championship,” Brown explained.
“People who are close to me – my family and friends, the people who actually matter – understand what happened and that is the most crucial thing for me.
“There will be a time when I will talk about what occurred. But at the instant I have always attempted to adhere to the group ethos.
“It is not for me to draw attention away [from England’s World Cup preparations] and talk about anything else that went on.”
Having just turned 34, Brown is still unlikely to play for England again, but reflects on the highs and lows of an international career.
“It’s awesome. For almost any soccer player it’s the best job on earth,” he explained.
“We have paid very nicely and we get to see such amazing things doing this particular job.
“However, what comes with that is the examination as well as the heartache of working so hard and never getting selected for something. But that is the nature of it.”
Brown also says he has no regrets about anything that went on insisting he did all he could to get selection for the showpiece at Japan.
“I went to pre-season camps in the very best shape I’ve ever been in, and trained every second of every minute. So I have no regrets at all about the past year,” he added.
“On the plus side it’s given me some wonderful memories and excellent time with my loved ones, getting to spend additional time with my child and my spouse, I have not been able to do within the previous eight decades.
“You must check at those advantages. I have also come to be with my Quins team-mates, that is difficult to do when you’re currently playing for England.
“I’d like to have been engaged in England, however, I must go around the [pre-season bonding] trip to Ibiza using the Quins guys, and also be part of an environment which has grown extremely powerful.”
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