Brown: Scots are wise enough (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Brown: Scots are wise enough

10:51am Friday 2nd September 2011 in London Scottish By Stuart Amos

London Scottish player-coach James Brown reckons he and head coach Simon Amor have the experience to lead the Exiles into the Championship this term.

The pair - and forwards coach Alex Codling - kick-off the campaign when Rotherham Titans visit the Athletic Ground on Sunday in the second-tier of English professional rugby.

It has been a long road back to the upper echelons of the domestic game from the Surrey Leagues after the club went out of business in 2000.

Scottish have enjoyed seven promotions in the last ten years culminating in clinching the National Division One title last season on the campaign's final day in Amor and Brown's first season in charge.

Both coaches have enjoyed glittering playing careers in the top flight - as well as representing England Sevens with distinction - but are relative coaching novices.

But Brown insists that is not a hindrance as the Exiles bid for survival in their first season back.

"Simon has coached at this level before and we have both played at this level and higher," he said.

"It is a case of relaying that experience on to the players we have here.

"There are a lot of coaches not too much older than us in the Premiership these days. That is refreshing and shows new coaches are coming through.

"We've been pretty successful so far. It has been a tough learning curve and hopefully we'll only get better."

Scottish, who beat Championship side Esher 15-13 in a friendly on Saturday, have recruited half of the formidable Barking pack that dominated National One last season.

They will have 16 full-time professionals at their disposal, taking a leaf out of their Surrey league rivals' book in adding depth to their squad to compete during the course of the campaign.

But former Worcester Warriors man Brown, already mindful they are will be without skipper Lewis Calder (knee) and Willie Lipp (knee) for the start of the campaign, is not looking too far ahead when it comes to his side's ambitions.

"We're not looking at the bigger picture just yet, because we are just looking to compete week in, week out," he added.

"The players know all about the step in physicality and there are a lot of Premiership quality players playing in the league.

"We need to be ready to face that challenge head on and have the depth to cope with a more attritional league.

"If we can perform to our level consistently then results should look after themselves."