England's most-capped full-back Mike Brown appointed Director of Rugby at Loughborough University

Mike Brown, England’s most-capped full-back, has been appointed Director of Rugby at Loughborough University, with the role set to begin in January 2027. The 41-year-old Harlequins legend, who earned 72 caps across a 21-year professional playing career, will oversee the strategic direction and commercial growth of both the men’s and women’s rugby programmes.

Brown has spent the past ten months as Sporting Director at Esher RFC, a National 2 East (level 4) club, where he has led the first XV and held responsibility for the club’s other senior teams. He will remain in that position until the end of the year before making the move to the Midlands.

At Loughborough, Brown will report to Director of Sport Lou Gear and shape strategy across BUCS, the National League and PWR competition. He will also build on the university’s existing women’s rugby partnership with Northampton Saints.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the University as Director of Rugby,” Brown said. “Loughborough’s reputation for sporting excellence is unrivalled, so it is a huge privilege to be joining such an iconic sporting institution. I’ve always been drawn to environments with big ambition, high standards and a genuine desire to keep improving, and Loughborough represents all of that.”

Brown added that he is eager to help shape the next chapter of the rugby programme across both genders, focusing on developing players and coaches as much as on competitive results.

Gear welcomed the appointment, citing Brown’s playing pedigree and his leadership experience at Esher as key factors. “Mike brings outstanding professional experience from his longstanding playing career, the experience of leadership at Esher and a clear strategic vision for driving our rugby programme forward,” she said.