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Leicester statement: Contract extension confirmed for Mike Brown
The 2023 Mike Brown resurgence has had another happy development as the ex-England full-back has signed a deal that will see him stay at Leicester for the 2023/24 season. The 37-year-old had been left without a club following his release at the end of last season by Newcastle.
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It left him fearing retirement, as per an exclusive October interview with RugbyPass, but the sudden January departure of Freddie Burns to the Super Rugby Highlanders opened a slot at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Brown initially went on trial at the club and after agreeing to a short-term deal, he has since enjoyed five Gallagher Premiership starts and scored two tries.
Interim boss Richard Wigglesworth confirmed at his weekly media briefing last week that negotiations regarding a contract extension were progressing nicely with Brown and a deal has now been struck on Tuesday, the same day that the club announced the signing of London Irish winger Ollie Hassell-Collins and also confirmed an extension for Cameron Henderson in the forwards.
A statement read: “Leicester Tigers have agreed to a new deal with Mike Brown which will see the outside back remain at the club beyond the current season. Brown joined the Tigers on a short-term contract midway through the current campaign and has made five appearances and scored two tries to date.
'I literally haven’t spoken to anyone'@mikebrown_15 hasn't given up on finding a new club. He talks to @heagneyl ??? about adjusting, unemployment, keeping his weight on + his major bugbears with Eddie's England selections. https://t.co/qS0I8Nahli
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2022
“The England international made the move to Leicester after stints with Harlequins, where he won two Premiership titles, and Newcastle Falcons. Brown made 72 Test appearances for England between 2007-2018 during which he won three Six Nations titles.”
Wigglesworth said: “I’m really pleased for Mike, who has earned the new deal with not only his performances in games but in the way he has come into the club and added to our group. His experience has been invaluable and the professionalism he has is something that we have seen help improve his teammates here at the club.
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“The circumstances in which Mike returned were unique and challenging, but you would never know by the way he has approached each day and this contract is a just reward for that hard work.”
Brown added: “Since arriving, I have been really impressed with the environment here at Leicester Tigers and feel that they fit with the values I have as a person and a rugby player. I have really enjoyed working with the quality of players in this squad and coaches, which I want to continue to do and am excited to keep doing.
“The opportunity to play at Welford Road with the supporters this club has was something I admittedly wasn’t quite sure about after being an opposition player for so long, but they have welcomed me so well and it is great that I can keep doing that. It means so much to me to be able to represent a club of this magnitude and, hopefully, people have seen just how much I appreciate that opportunity.
“From the very first conversation I had with Richard, I said I wanted to contribute to the environment on and off the field; I want to set examples to the young lads and help them, but also make sure that when I get that chance to pull on the shirt, I am ready and can help the team be the very best it can be.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments