Picture this: former England full-back Mike Brown, now turned rugby pundit, decides to toss his hat back into the ring for a shock return to the national team. Sounds like the plot of a sports movie, right? Well, hold your horses, because England coach Steve Borthwick nearly choked on his tea laughing off the idea. Brown, who’s hung up his boots but clearly not his opinions, also decided to dish out some unsolicited advice to current fly-half Marcus Smith.
Brown, who's not known for mincing his words, suggested that Smith might need to dial down the flair just a tad. According to Brown, while Smith's flashy style is a crowd-pleaser, it might not always be what the team needs to clinch victories. "You don’t always need the Hollywood pass," he commented, probably while nostalgically remembering the days when a solid kick and chase was all the rage.
"You don’t always need the Hollywood pass."
Steve Borthwick, on the other hand, seems to be on a different page. While he appreciates Brown’s passion for the team, he's firmly backing his young fly-half. Borthwick praised Smith’s current form and decision-making, which, let’s be honest, has more sparkle than a New Year’s Eve fireworks display. "Marcus is doing exceptionally well at the moment," Borthwick stated, clearly signaling that he’s not ready to swap Smith’s razzle-dazzle for a more conservative game plan.
Borthwick’s reaction to Brown's comeback suggestion? A mix of amusement and sheer disbelief. "I had a little chuckle," he admitted. And why wouldn’t he? The idea of Brown, at 38, lacing up for England again is as likely as a snowball’s chance in a sauna. But hey, everyone loves a trier, and Brown’s heart is clearly still beating for English rugby.
So, while Brown’s playing days might be behind him, his fervor for the game and for England’s success is still front and center. Whether or not Smith takes any of the old guard’s advice is yet to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the drama off the field is almost as gripping as what’s happening on it.