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Mike Brown defends intensity of Eddie Jones' England training camp

England fullback Mike Brown during a practice session
Image: England fullback Mike Brown during a practice session

England's controversial high-intensity training camp was exactly what the team needed to cope with Test match rugby, vice-captain Mike Brown has said despite several players being injured during it.

Wasps' Sam Jones broke his right leg and suffered ankle damage during a judo session, with the flanker ruled out for five months, while Bath wingerAnthony Watson sustained a broken jaw during a training session last Tuesday

Most recently, Exeter claimed that England told them Jack Nowell only had a minor injury but a subsequent scan revealed a "nine-to-10 centimetre" tear in his thigh.

"We need that intensity when we meet up because international rugby is a step up," Brown said. "It's training and things happen. That's what we expect when we go to international camp."

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As Premiership clubs question Eddie Jones this week, World Cup winner Will Greenwood backs the England head coach despite injuries to key players

The intensity of the camp created a rift with the players' clubs with Premiership Rugby describing it as unnecessary.

Brown, however, said it was needed as the team look to internationals against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia, which begin next month.

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"It puts us in a good place in terms of our preparation for South Africa. We need to make sure the intensity there, and that's the whole point of these camps," said Brown.

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"It's unlucky people got injured and hopefully they get back on the pitch as soon as possible."

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