Kevin Brown really unhappy that Super League star was left out of England squad

Kevin Brown’s best rugby came at the end of his career which saw him play for England well into his 30s.

There is a lot of talk that England should prioritise young players to prepare for the World Cup but Brown isn’t in the camp and very unhappy that the league’s top scorer Josh Charnley has been left out simply because of his age.

He said on BBC Five Live:

“I think Josh Charnley on form should be in the top 40 and it’s purely because of their age. Shaun Wane is a great coach and knows what he’s doing but it’s just my opinion that the best players should be picked for internationals.

“This is what we dream for as kids and it might take you the long journey, some players peak at 25 and some at 30.”

Overall he is against the notion that a young team should be played:

“No I don’t think we should play a young team. I think building for a World Cup straight after a World Cup is what you do behind the scenes, but when you’re playing an international game I believe that the best player at that time should play for his country.

“Regardless of age, over 30 or under 30, if you’re the best player in your position consistently week in week out then you deserve a chance to play in a Test match.

“Whether that’s one game or your first game, your 25th game, that’s what I believe. I think that’s the best way of doing it and that’s the best preparation for breeding the best players who play consistently well get picked.

“Three years is an awful long time, injuries, form, everything can change. People can surprise you as well, lots of players play beyond 30. I played till I was 37 and played my best rugby and played for England aged 33.

“I wasn’t the same player at 28, I was still learning. In your mind you gain so much when you pass 30.

“I feel that the players above 30 who Shaun Wane still thinks are the best, they should play in this international. I just hope we don’t treat it like a glamourised friendly. We need to create that pressure, because the last time we had pressure we failed.”