Heineken Cup
Brown set for Six Nations call-up
ESPNscrum Staff
December 20, 2011

Harlequins fullback Mike Brown is in line for a Six Nations call-up for England to replace Delon Armitage, according to reports in the media.

Brown has been in fine form for his club side, and scored twice in their 31-24 victory at Toulouse on Sunday. It is reported that the 26-year-old will be named in Stuart Lancaster's England squad on January 11, along with Northampton fullback Ben Foden.

"Mike is playing the rugby of his life," Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea told the Telegraph newspaper. "He was magnificent against Toulouse. The way he plays, with so much aggression, his best years will be his later years. He's 26 now and his next three or four years could be special.

"Ben is an outstanding fullback and Mike is going to have to keep playing the way he is to put the pressure on him. Ben Foden and Mike Brown are the two best fullbacks in England."

Brown has previously won three caps for England, the last of which came on the 2008 tour of New Zealand when he was fined £1,000 for misconduct after staying out at night. However, Armitage has incurred four suspensions this year, while Brown has been busily working on rebuilding his reputation and his game.

"This is the form of my life," said Brown. "I'm a completely different player to the last time I put on an England shirt. I've worked on my speed with [sprint coach] Margot Wells, which has really helped my attacking game, while Conor coming in has helped with my general attacking play."

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