History was made at The Stoop yesterday as Harlequins faced Barbarian FC for the first time in history.
An invitational side most often facing international teams, the Barbarians played at The Stoop as two all-action, all-attacking teams registered over 100 points.
The Barbarians sent former Harlequin and Club legend Mike Brown over for an air-bound score with two minutes left in the first half.
All Black number 10 Damian McKenzie hoisted the ball up in the air within the Quins 22, with Brown climbing highest to come crashing down to earth for his side’s third try
Mike Brown try:
Mike Brown facts:
- He has won three Six Nations Championship titles with England and two English Premiership titles with Harlequins
- Having mainly played football and little rugby, he initially wanted to play fly-half
- Brown was an integral part of the England team that won the RBS Six Nations Championship in 2016 and played every match in the 3–0 whitewash of Australia
- Brown married long term partner, fashion designer Eliza Scarlett Woodcock, the daughter of former England international footballer Tony Woodcock, in summer 2016
- He was selected by the general public for the 2014 RBS Six Nations player of the championship award
Mike Brown has selected his England squad for Rugby World Cup – picks Arundell over May
Mike Brown has selected the players that he would select if he were England head coach.
The 37-year-old gave his opinion to the Mail Online and you can view his squad and thoughts below…
#FRONT-ROW:
- Loosehead: Ellis Genge, Mako Vunipola, Joe Marler
- Hooker: Jamie George, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jamie Blamire
- Tighthead: Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Joe Heyes
Brown wrote: "On the loosehead, Ellis Genge is the out-and-out first choice. Joe Marler should come back for the World Cup and he's neck-and-neck with Mako Vunipola."
Ellis Genge of England Rugby is tackled by Will Rowlands of Wales during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#SECOND-ROW:
- Lock: Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill, Ollie Chessum, Joe Launchbury
Brown wrote: "I think Joe Launchbury will come in when he's fit and Ollie Chessum's is on a real upward trajectory."
Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#BACK-ROW:
- Flanker: Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes (cover lock),Lewis Ludlam
- Number 8: Billy Vunipola, Alex Dombrandt
Brown wrote: "This is probably where England have the most depth. Billy Vunipola suits the way England play. He has been behind Sam Underhill and Alex Dombrandt but the jersey is his to lose. It's tough to see Sam Simmonds getting in the squad when all three are fit."
Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#HALFBACKS:
- Scrum-halves: JVP, Ben Youngs, Raffi Quirke
- Fly-half: Marcus Smith, Owen Farrell (cover 12).
Brown wrote: "No one is getting in over Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell. It was really tough to see Danny Care hooked in the first half. He's a world-class player and I hope he bounces back, but it has given Ben Youngs the edge."
Ben Youngs of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship, 127th Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 6 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#CENTRES:
- Centre: Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Joe Marchant (cover wing), Guy Porter
Brown wrote: "Henry Slade will come back but he works better outside Tuilagi than Farrell. The jury is still out on Guy Porter but he allows others to shine."
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#BACK-THREE:
- Speedsters: Freddie Steward, Tommy Freeman, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Henry Arundell
Brown wrote: "Freddie Steward, Jack Nowell and Tommy Freeman are my starting back-three. Anthony Watson will push his way back in. Henry Arundell has the stardust too. "
Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
