Mike Brown: ‘England players must uphold standards’

Full-back Mike Brown hopes Manu Tuilagi learns from his England ban and stressed his fellow team-mates should know the standards they have to uphold.

Centre Tuilagi is to miss World Cup after pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer.

Brown admits his absence is a blow to England's chances this autumn but hopes the number of emerging talents can fill the void in Stuart Lancaster's side.

"It’s a big blow – he’s a world class player, who played for the Lions, and a phenomenal athlete," Brown told Sky Sports News HQ.

“But this just shows that everyone knows the standards that have been set and if don’t uphold them then you won’t play for England.

“It must have been tough for Stuart to make that decision. But we have got quality players and we showed that in the Six Nations. Look how Jonathan Joseph has come along since then.

“We’ll move forward as a team and hopefully Manu will move forward as an individual and learn from it, and hopefully the whole squad will learn, not that they don’t already know, that they have to uphold our standards.”

Brown has been recovering from a period of recurring headaches following knockout and concussion during the Six Nations.

It must have been tough for Stuart to make that decision. But we have got quality players and we showed that in the Six Nations.

The Harlequins back says his recovery is progressing well and he hopes to be available for the World Cup which England kick-off at Twickenham on September 18.

“I feel alright at the moment. I’ve gone through a bit of fitness stuff, doing some running and light weights,” he said.

“It’s going in the right direction so hopefully it will be completely clear soon after a few weeks off to rest again.

“It was a sign from my body that I wasn’t completely recovered. My performances showed I was in a good place but maybe took some more big knocks in the last game against France. It was a hard Test match.

“England and Quins medical staff have been brilliant. I’ve seen a few specialists and they all say it’s going in the right direction – it’s not getting any worse.

“I showed after the initial knock I still like to throw myself a bit. I just have to keep believing that I’ll turn the corner and it will all be fine.”