England's Brown will put it all on the line against Scotland

Duncan Bech 06:34 14/03/2015
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  • No let-up: Mike Brown won’t let a recent concussion temper his level of intensity.

    Mike Brown expects his default setting of all-out commitment to remain intact despite the traumatic concussion incident that has interrupted his Six Nations.

    England’s full-back was knocked unconscious during an accidental collision with Italy’s Andrea Masi a month ago and after enduring two setbacks while observing return to play protocols he was forced to miss the defeat in Ireland.

    Now fully fit and restored to today’s starting XV, Brown’s mind turns to the possible lingering effects arising from an incident which saw him receive lengthy medical treatment before being withdrawn on a motorised cart.

    When asked if he would be wary when challenging for the next 50- 50 ball, Brown said: “I don’t think so. It hasn’t been like that in training so far, although obviously that is a bit different to being in a game.

    “The way I play, I can’t afford to do that because it would take so much away from my game. I think I’m 100 per cent committed every time I’m going for a ball. Hopefully I will just switch into automatic mode and won’t think too much of it. We’ll see when I get out there.”

    Little over a week after concussion became a major talking point when Wales wing George North was allowed to play on despite having been knocked out, Brown’s case reflected far better on a sport facing up to its single most pressing issue.

    Once medics arrived, the 29-year-old was rolled on to a spinal board, regaining consciousness in the changing room before sheepishly accepting an ovation from the Twickenham crowd when he emerged to watch the second half from the stands.

    “I’ve seen a couple of clips of the incident – people were nice enough to Tweet me it a few times!” Brown said. “I’ve seen a couple of pictures of the hit which was nice as well – great facials and then asleep on the floor. It happens in rugby. It’s a collision sport.

    “I was just thinking: ‘why didn’t I get my head in the right position or get there quicker so I didn’t have to make the tackle?’ It’s just annoying.

    “I only managed 12 minutes of the game which is even more frustrating because I didn’t do anything in the game to be happy about. I got knocked out and that was it.

    “I was a bit embarrassed by the applause when I came out. I only lasted 12 minutes and I didn’t do much in those 12 minutes to warrant that applause.”

    Meanwhile, Scotland centre Matt Scott has called on the Tartan Army to shake off their tag as “gallant losers” and make history at Twickenham. It is 32 years since Scotland last won at the home of English rugby and a shock victory would revive a campaign that has included defeats, albeit narrow ones, in each of their Six Nations matches so far.

    “It does have an effect, for me personally it’s a massive opportunity to make history,” Scott said. “The history is hard to ignore. People talk about that team that won in 1983 and personally I use it as a great motivation.

    “Every Scotland-England game has a massive build-up and it’s a massive emotional experience.

    “It’s hard to describe but it’s such a great occasion to play in – the players do channel the history, the number of years we haven’t won – the players use that, it’s a powerful tool.”

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