England full-back Mike Brown is expected to be available for the Six Nations showdown with Scotland as he enters the final stage of his recovery from concussion.
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Brown’s tenacity and watertight defence were missed in Sunday’s 19-9 defeat by Ireland after he suffered a double setback during the return to play protocols having been knocked out against Italy.
The 29-year-old will undertake full contact training today and is on course to be given the green light 24 hours later to face the winless Scots at Twickenham on March 14.
“We’re pretty confident about Mike. “He’s had a reasonable amount of time now and certainly all the signs from everyone, including from Mike himself, is that he’s back to 100 per cent,” head coach Stuart Lancaster said.
“He has to tick the final box and then I’m sure he’ll be training on Friday.
“He has been symptom free since last week.”
Alex Goode deputised for Brown on the afternoon England’s Grand Slam dream evaporated at the Aviva Stadium and while he produced some fine moments, he was out-jumped during Robbie Henshaw’s try in the key moment of the match.
Goode will play for Saracens at Wasps on Sunday, after which Lancaster insists he will make a call on who starts at full-back against Scotland when the Red Rose seek to revive their title aspirations.
“Both Mike and Alex will compete for that 15 shirt next week,” Lancaster said.
“Mike has a lot of experience and does bring a lot to the team, but Alex had a good game against Ireland and dealt with the high balls well.
“If you see Johnny Sexton against other teams, he always seems to find grass with his tactical kicking but Alex managed to cover all those eventualities.
“There was a lot of work that came Alex’s way and he did well. I’m keeping an open mind until next week.”
Inside centre Luther Burrell has a calf injury but Lancaster is “reasonably optimistic” he will resume training on Tuesday.
