MIKE BROWN IS relishing his return to action after five months on the sidelines as England continue their Rugby World Cup preparations against France.
Brown has not played since the conclusion of the Six Nations after struggling to recover from repeated headaches following a collision with Italy’s Andrea Masi that knocked him unconscious in mid-February.
However, the Harlequins man is set to make his comeback at the Stade de France on Saturday after being selected in Stuart Lancaster’s XV, taking the place of Alex Goode, who played at that position in England’s 19-14 win over France last weekend.
And speaking on England Rugby TV, Brown said: “[I'm] obviously massively excited, it’s been a long pre-season, it’s been a long time since I’ve played, about five months.
“End of the year was frustrating for me but it was the right time to look after my head after what had gone on before. I’ve had the right treatment and just excited to get back out there.
“It’s [the Stade de France] a great stadium, good atmosphere, so it’ll be great to play over there again.
“It’s important to carry on from where the guys have left it over the first game, carry on from there and try and raise it another level.”
England (v France, 22 August)
15. Mike Brown (Harlequins)
14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
12. Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
10. George Ford (Bath Rugby)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
1. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
2. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
6. James Haskell (Wasps)
7. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) Capt.
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Replacements
16. Jamie George (Saracens)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
18. David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
19. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
20. Nick Easter (Harlequins)
21. Danny Care (Harlequins)
22. Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks)
23. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
She was lucky to be Born in the USA
@Observer: near Atlantic City i think
@Brian Dunne: hopefully the Glory Days aren’t behind her yet.
@Observer: like it
@Conor Egan: as long as she maintains a Hungry Heart she should be ok
@Brian Dunne: She’s a Jersey girl!
@Adam O’Sullivan: My hometown
@Larry Betts: She’s a Nyaaaaaavan girl now hi
Bruce lying again, he said she was born to run!
@Gerry from the Block: She’s mad about tidiness and hygiene. That’s why she wants to visit Co.Kildare. She heard it’s naas and clane there.
@Brian Dunne: nope. She was born on the streets of Philadelphia, down by the river.
@Larry Betts: she sure is prosperous
Strange she is doing the equisterian…. You’d have thought she’d be born to run….
I Believe she Can Fly
I knew she’d be ok, she’s Tougher Than The Rest.
She’s Solid, Solid As A Rock
Ohhhh.oooh..she’s on fire!
I’ll get.me coat.
That Don’t Impress-a-me Much
Everyone racking their brains for the titles of Bruce’s albums and songs so they can come up with atrocious puns! I’m just jealous that I got here late and was beaten to it. ‘Born to pun…’
@William Tallon: I once submitted ten puns for a Funny Pun competition. I thought at least one of them would win,but no pun in ten did.
@Larry Betts: Now that’s an oldie…
@Larry Betts: morto for ya
@Mary Paget: Sad. For you.
Not one comment so far about the actual story! Must be a record even for the Journal…
@William Tallon: people are probably just Waiting on a Sunny Day
@William Tallon: Makes a change I suppose. It’s usually about a girl singer while her daddy’s out riding. Vice versa in this case
@William Tallon: what’s to say about the fact that somebody won a medal in the Olympics in an obscure and relatively elite sport. Well done?
That said, I’d like to point out to the journal that there are other countries in the Olympics as well as Ireland and the US.
@john smith iv: Obscure?? Elite?? Give me patience!
She’s the one. Chasin’ wild horses. Dancing in the dark on the streets of Philadelphia tonight,though there may be a little darkness on the edge of town.
@Larry Betts: she’ll feel like she’s in the Promised Land tonight
@Brian Dunne: I have a reason to believe if there’s an incident on 57th Street it’ll be a long walk home
@Larry Betts: just dont get Lost In The Flood
@Brian Dunne: I’ll try not to get blinded by the light. Even if I do,there will be better days
@Larry Betts: thats what i like about you Larry, its the Human Touch
@Brian Dunne: Don’t be fooled. It’s a brilliant disguise
@Larry Betts: well i guess you are from the Badlands…
He will be happy
He’ll do his crying in the rain
Started taking lessons on the Backstreets if I’m not mistaken?
@Paul Keane: Yeah,Thunder Road. She would drive all night to get there
She’ll drive like A Bat Out Of Hell
Hope they go ” Down to the river “
The’ll go Down To The River To Pray
God almighty you lot, would think that you could do better than that.. a simple congratulations and well done would be great. Maybe she will be dancing in the dark after this. Couldn’t resist that!! just couldn’t..
Sinne Fianna Fáil, a tá fé gheall ag Éirinn.
She was working on a dream for a long time.
@Twitruser2021: She was waiting for a sunny day
Now she’s Walking On Sunshine
Born to ride
True She Rides The Finest Horse …. I’ve Ever Seen
They’ve been waitin’ on that sunny day for a while. Fair play!
She is The Sunshine Of his Life
‘a great leaper ….as Ted would say.
A Lovely Lovely Lovely Horse
She was actually the horse. It was a brilliant disguise.