Leicester Tigers fullback Mike Brown supports the idea of central contracts for England players as he believes it will ease the burden on the Premiership clubs.
Brown signed a contract extension with Leicester Tigers after he joined the club midway through the 2022/23 season and will remain at the side into next season.
Premiership exodus
Leicester secured Brown’s services for next season and added Ollie Hassell-Collins to their ranks.
The current Premiership holders have also recruited Josh Bassett, Kyle Hatherell, Jamie Shillcock and Finn Theobald-Thomas but are likely to lose England and Lions outside back Anthony Watson.
Watson is reportedly weighing up offers in France and Japan ahead of next season, despite also joining Leicester ahead of the current campaign.
The outside back – who was a standout for Steve Borthwick’s side during the Six Nations – is set to join several England stars who will head across The Channel after the World Cup.
Sam Simmonds and Luke Cowan-Dickie have signed deals to join Montpellier. Meanwhile, Joe Marchant is off to Stade Francais while David Ribbans heads to Toulon.
Central contracts for England internationals
The idea of central contracts is gaining ground in England, after its success with Ireland and New Zealand, with Saracens boss Mark McCall one of the voices calling for the system to be introduced.
The move to central contracts would make England players more affordable for Premiership clubs and help ensure that they remain in the League.
“Central contracts could be a good idea, taking the pressure off clubs financially,” Brown said.
“If the RFU are paying for a decent amount of the top players’ salaries, then there’s money there that can be used elsewhere in the salary cap. It takes the pressure off them, their load management and the alignment for players.
“Hopefully, we won’t in the future see players having to go abroad through lack of jobs or financial pull. We need to stop that happening.”
Brown was a free agent before joining Leicester after Newcastle Falcons released him at the end of the 2021/22 season.
The 38-year-old kept in shape throughout with solo training before he was granted a trial with Leicester in January.
Following the departure of Freddie Burns to New Zealand to play Super Rugby Pacific for the Highlanders and Freddie Steward on Six Nations duty, the door opened for Brown to make his return to the Premiership.
Enjoying his time back in the Premiership
He took advantage of the situation and now looks ahead to his 19th professional season in 2023/24, and he sees no reason to map out the finishing line.
“I knew I could still play and contribute; it was just about getting that opportunity,” Brown said.
“It’s been good to have the chance to show that I was right in my own head and prove to myself I could still do it.
“I’ve come in with no expectations and thrown myself into it, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.
“I never wanted to think about how long I can play for. As soon as you start putting a deadline on it, mentally, that is when your body starts winding down.
“I use (former England and Harlequins number eight) Nick Easter as an example of this. That guy was an absolute machine.
“He didn’t train that much in the gym, but he never got injured, and he played 80 minutes every single week.
“As soon as he said he was going to retire at the end of that season, he started getting injuries, so I always looked at that as an example.
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“I just feel mentally freer on the field now. Mentally I enjoy the parts of the game I want to take enjoyment from; there is no pressure on me, really. I don’t need to prove myself to anyone.”