England assistant coach Graham Rowntree has stated that Mike Brown has a chance of starting Sunday's Six Nations match at the Aviva stadium despite last Friday's relapse, while cycling a bike, to the initial concussion suffered against Italy on February 14th.
Brown resumed the six day return to play protocols on Sunday (no activity). On Monday he was permitted to do light aerobic exercise (walking, stationary cycling or swimming to increase heart rate) and today he completed pitch based rugby specific exercise (running drills, no contact).
“Brownie completed a running based session this morning, which is great news for us, so we will see how he recovers from that overnight,” said Rowntree. “We’ll see what part of team training he can do tomorrow. And indeed tomorrow he will not take part in any contact.”
Under the RFU guide to concussion, Brown can resume full training on Thursday, following medical clearance.
“We’ll take it day by day, ask a specialist, but it was great to see him training today, a running based session,” Rowntree repeated.
“We’ll follow the protocols. The only thing that matters is him, and his health.”
Rowntree was then asked if there is any problem selecting Brown should he pass the six day protocols?
“No, absolutely not. Like any player with concussion, we have to tick all those relevant boxes. We are being quite diligent about it.”
That means Brown will be included in tonight's match day England squad, with at least two extra players, one of whom will be Saracens fullback Alex Goode.
Previously injured forwards Geoff Parling, Tom Wood and Courtney Lawes all resumed full training at England headquarters in Surrey's Pennyhill Park hotel this morning.
