Brown set to return for England against Scotland

England fullback Mike Brown looks set to make his return against Scotland after coach Stuart Lancaster said he will compete with Alex Goode for selection next week.

Brown was knocked unconscious during England’s 47-17 victory over Italy on the 14th of February and missed last weekend’s 19-9 loss to Ireland after receiving two setbacks during the return-to-play protocols.

But the 29-year-old Harlequins man is due to resume full-contact training on Thursday, clearing the way for him to be passed fit for the home game with Scotland on March 14.

“We’re pretty confident about Mike,” Lancaster told a press conference.

“He’s had a reasonable amount of time now and certainly all the signs from everyone, including from Mike himself, is that he’s back to 100 percent.

“He has to tick the final box and then I’m sure he’ll be training on Friday. He has been symptom-free since last week.”

Alex Goode stood in for Brown in England’s defeat in Dublin and was outjumped in the build-up to the Robbie Henshaw try that was to prove the match’s pivotal moment.

But Lancaster said that Goode, who will line up for Saracens against Wasps this weekend, was still in contention to hold on to his place for the match with Scotland.

“Both Mike and Alex will compete for that 15 shirt next week,” Lancaster said.

“There was a lot of work that came Alex’s way and he did well. I’m keeping an open mind until next week.”

Inside-centre Luther Burrell is currently sidelined with a calf injury, but Lancaster declared himself “reasonably optimistic” that the Northampton player will be able to return to training next week.

Lancaster has retained 16 players – including Brown – for the remainder of the training week at the England’s training base as well as Ed Slater and Manusamoa Tuilagi (both Leicester Tigers) and Joe Launchbury (Wasps) who are continuing their rehabilitation.

Players retained for training
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Retained for rehabilitation
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)
Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)