MIKE Brown has had to wait in the wings for the majority of his England career.

Now, after finally getting his shot at full-back, the Quins ace insists patience has made him a far better player.

Throughout last year’s southern hemisphere clashes and this year’s Six Nations, Brown cut a lonely figure out on the left wing of an under-performing England backline.

But, after impressing this summer in the No.15 jersey for England, Brown has been the stand-out player in a struggling Quins side this season.

Indeed, so impressive has his form been that he has unseated Alex Goode and fought off Ben Foden ahead of Saturday’s clash with Australia.

And the 28-year-old admits his days playing out of position have improved him immeasurably and the time is now right for him to make the full-back spot his own.

“It will be great for me to play there because that’s the position I want to play and that is the position I have been playing for a long time now,” said Brown.

He was speaking at Hollins Hall, on behalf of Marriott, official partner of England Rugby, who teamed up with River Cottage to change the face of hotel food.

“It was great to have that opportunity on the wing and I am really thankful to Stuart (Lancaster) for giving me the opportunity in that position. I learned so much from playing there that I can use at full-back as well.

“It gave me a greater understanding of a winger’s role, so it helps when I am trying to orchestrate the back three.

"That was brilliant, but obviously I want to keep pushing at 15 and I am sure they see me as a 15."

England also welcome Argentina and New Zealand to Twickenham this autumn and Brown believes the time is right for Lancaster’s troops to prove their mettle ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

“We have been on a brilliant journey so far," he said. "We need to keep pushing on, keep working hard and, hopefully, the performances will come.”

Marriott, official partner of England Rugby, has teamed up with River Cottage to change the face of hotel food by focusing on seasonal, local, organic and sustainable produce.