Michael Cheika’s squad had a week at Browns Sports Resort in Vilamoura, which was used by England, and saw the end of the full-back’s international days. Brown’s last visit to the complex was back in 2018, ahead of that year’s autumn internationals, when Eddie Jones terminated his Test playing days.
Brown was never picked for England again but, at the age of 39, he is still intent on proving he is nowhere near his sellby date even if his return to the Algarve did bring him out in a cold sweat.
And with the hard-hitting Cheika arriving in the summer, after Dan McKellar’s shock departure, the former England star reckons a change is as good as a rest as he gears up for another season.
“The last time I had been to that sports resort in Vilamoura was with Eddie,” said Brown, speaking at an event to mark the renewal of Gallagher’s Premiership Rugby title partnership. “And that was when I got dropped by him. Turning up there was a bit ‘not again’. Part of the problem is it’s still exactly the same – it was a bit like PTSD for me and Ben Youngs, more so for me because the last time I had been there was not a great memory.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.
