Mike Brown has opened up on the post-match confrontation between himself, Joe Marler and supporters on Saturday in Bloemfontein.
The row happened after England’s 23-12 defeat, which saw them go 2-0 down in the three-game series.
“I caught the back end off him [Marler] walking off and some supporter decided to lean over and give him some abuse,” Brown said.
WATCH: ‘I deserve more respect’ – Mike Brown has hit back at his critics and tells Sky Sports he deserves respect for what he has achieved with England: https://t.co/aEcV7fXuN5 pic.twitter.com/yUfHGaRA6u
— Sky Sports Rugby (@SkySportsRugby) June 19, 2018
“When a guy who you think should be supporting you is saying you aren’t trying your best – and that is putting it nicely – I just told him to shut up basically.
“We try day-in-day-out to get better and we are out there trying our best and if somebody is telling you are not then they are way off the mark. We stick up for ourselves if someone is saying something we don’t like.
“I’ve come in for a bit of criticism but I’m on 71 caps now – it would be nice to get a little bit of respect sometimes,” Brown added.
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“I’ve played wing, full-back – I’m the most capped full-back in English rugby. It would be nice for people to see some of the unseen work I do apart from scoring tries.
“I don’t need to say what I’ve achieved in my career. I love playing for England and with these guys and I will keep working hard on this journey to the World Cup and hopefully I will be there.”