Harlequins full-back Mike Brown says that England will be full of confidence from their win over New Zealand ahead of the Six Nations.
Speaking exclusively to Planet Rugby, Brown admits he has had little time to reflect on that remarkable day at Twickenham, with the surprise victory by Stuart Lancaster's side meaning that England's stock has risen over the last few months.
"It was an unbelievable experience," said Brown.
"We felt we had a point to prove after the disappointing losses in the previous two weeks. Having watched England games against New Zealand in the past, it was a dream come true.
"I was straight back into it with Harlequins and had a game a few days later, so I haven't had a lot of time to think about it, but it will be one of those memories when you look back on your career that I'll remember very fondly."
Brown was deployed as a left winger rather in his familiar role of full-back in the November Internationals, but admits he is happy to play out of position if it means getting into the side.
"I'm grateful to get the chance to play on the wing," added Brown.
"I was desperate to get a start at Twickenham and I think I repaid Stuart's [Lancaster] faith in me in those two games against probably the two best teams in the world. I was ecstatic to get that chance and hopefully I'll get a few more.
"Obviously I want to play my preferred position of full-back, but if wing gets me on the pitch it's a similar skill set in this day and age so it's not too hard to adapt. Andy Farrell has been talking me through it and it seems to be going alright."
The victory over the world champions has seen England tipped for a second Six Nations title in three years over the next two months, but Brown insists that the weight of expectation that has come from defeating the All Blacks will not affect England's preparations.
"I don't think so. We put enough pressure on ourselves as a squad to achieve and do bigger things," stated Brown.
"There will be a lot of confidence around the squad - if we can do it against the world champions there is no reason why we can't do it against any team.
"Scotland is going to be a massive game with a lot of history so we're looking forward to it."
Brown returns to action with Harlequins this weekend after taking a well-earned rest for the victory over London Welsh last weekend in the Aviva Premiership.
"I've had a few niggles so Conor [O'Shea] was good enough to give me a few days off," he explained.
"We have a great squad at Quins and Ollie Lindsay-Hague came in and played really well. I hate missing training or games but I needed the break and I'm now ready for this weekend."
His return coincides with the final rounds of this season's Heineken Cup group stage, with Harlequins sitting on 19 points and having scored more points than any other side in the competition as they close in on a home quarter-final.
This time last year the English champions fell short of progressing to the knockout stages despite winning away against Toulouse.
Connacht were the side to send Harlequins crashing out of the tournament and they travel to The Stoop on Saturday, as Brown and his side look to put the disappointment of last season's exit behind them.
"Last season we let ourselves down in the final group games so we know what Connacht will offer," said Brown.
"They have killed off our Heineken Cup hopes before and create a lot of problems and are developing really well.
"We've had two professional wins over Zebre and they worked us hard and it's going to be a tough two weeks ahead. Everyone has been knocking us a bit saying that it's an easy group, but you've still got to do a job."
by Ben Coles
@bencoles_
Comments
APV1 says...
@ Headhunter99 - "...he's a forwards dream 15." Maybe that's why I like him so much. I spend half my life chasing the game and trying to support. I much prefer the backs to bring the game to me and save me the slog.
Posted 10:21 14th January 2013
Honestpom says...
Abendanon, Armitage, Arscott, Brown, Foden, Goode.......England are spoilt for choice at 15. Right now i would trust any of these guys to do a great job for us in the 6N.
Posted 22:12 13th January 2013
TVaddict says...
@ArmchairGeneral
I don't think Brown has ever played at 14, how could he be great in the position?
Posted 17:41 13th January 2013
NHsaints says...
I say play Brown at Fullback and Foden at wing, it's the best combo with Brown taking high balls better and Foden being a stronger finisher.
Posted 13:58 13th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Goode is also an intelligent player. Not as good as Brown but he's always going to make the right decision under pressure. Having a play maker come in from 15 is harder to defend than at 12 because he can show up anywhere, step in if 10 is down tackled and hang back when needed. Makes for exciting attacking options. I'd pick Brown ahead of Goode but Brown is great at 14 Foden is great at 11. Play all of them.
Posted 13:08 13th January 2013
Headhunter99 says...
I met MB last year after England vs Wales at one of those corporate do's and he is an outstandingly nice guy, a real professional not at all like his them Mr Angry tag..... I agree with most of whats said about Brown, he's a forwards dream 15. He'll catch any high kick and will run it back and refuse to be put down till he's in front of his support.
There is more to him technically, in yesterdays match against Connaught he stayed on his feet at the ruck, got his hands on the ball and could not be dislodged, as good a turnover and penalty win as any top 7 in the world could do.... The highest compliment is he is like JPR without the hair or sideburns.
Posted 09:25 13th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Well after watching Saracens beat Racing Metro today and hearing tha Quins got 5pts vs connaught, I'm pretty up beat too. Now if only Leicester can get a win in Swansea...
Posted 22:19 12th January 2013
APV1 says...
@ sirtidychris & Frooschman - would bringing in 36 not cover for the lack of distribution in the midfield (I'm keeping it on this post, so ner!)? Goode isn't as good as Burns or Farrell at 10 and is unlikely to ever be as good if he continues at 15.
I, too, liked him a little angry. But not so much that he's sitting on the side as much as he used to. He's about as determined a player as I've seen too and although he doesn't have the step of, say, Bendy, he does everything else a 15 should do and damned well too!
Posted 16:48 11th January 2013
Frooschman says...
@ APV1 My take is that Goode provides more options for a back line that lacks creativity! His ability to step up to first receiver on the blind side changes the way the defence has to set up and provides greater attacking alternatives. Of course in most international backlines one of the centres would fill that roll but that's for a different post ...
As for Brown, I agree, he'd be my 15. Never seen a bloke so determined not to be put down! A joy to watch. Personally I liked him angry though!
Posted 13:14 11th January 2013
sirtidychris says...
APV1
I agree that goode isn't your standard FB like brown but he oozes class and has time on the ball that all the really top players have, he also acts as a second playmaker, which is something I know catt is particulalry interesting in. I actually believe Goode would have been better off sticking to Flyhalf as his distribution and head for rugby is fantastic and he lacks that sprinters pace guys like dagg have, however sarries needed a FB so thats where he is.
Posted 12:43 11th January 2013
APV1 says...
Mr Angry no more. I think I've seen him step in to break up scuffles more than actually be involved recently. And I think that was his biggest weakness - his temper. But he seems to have managed to temper his temper (ya see what i did?!) and I'd start him at 15 every time. Foden on the wing, if not a specialist.
FB's not my forte, so what is it that SL (and others) see in Goode that I'm missing? He just doesn't do it for me, but I'm sure I must be missing something.
Posted 12:05 11th January 2013