Ex-England full-back Mike Brown says his attempt on debut for Leicester Tigers on the age of 37 was proof that gamers shouldn’t be judged by their age.
He left Harlequins for Newcastle in 2021, however was launched in Might after they opted towards a contract extension.
“It sends a message to not write gamers off as one among my former golf equipment wrote me off due to age,” he mentioned.
With no membership to play for or practice with, Brown mentioned he has “remained prepared” by coaching in native parks and dealing arduous within the health club.
He was handed a short-term deal by former England team-mate Richard Wigglesworth, who drafted within the 72-cap worldwide to assist cowl the drain of star expertise in the course of the Six Nations.
As somebody who was enjoying on the age of 39, and solely retired to take up the interim head teaching job at Tigers in December, Wigglesworth is aware of what it’s to play as a veteran.
Brown was not even the oldest participant in Leicester’s beginning line-up, with 39-year-old Jimmy Gopperth at centre.
“I’ve labored extremely arduous all through my profession to remain in good condition,” Brown instructed BBC Radio Leicester.
“That’s what the fashionable athlete is about now. You see throughout all sports activities, athletes of a sure age which might be nonetheless on the high of their sport.
“That’s the reason I messaged Wiggy [Wigglesworth] as a result of I used to be staying prepared and I felt good.
“It is simply nice to be again in an setting like this.
“It makes it straightforward when you find yourself in an setting with gamers who work so arduous with these coaches. It is inspiring for somebody like me to return in who needs to work arduous and contribute.”