Brown on track for Super Rugby return

Western Force No.8 Richard Brown says being struck down by a serious shoulder injury has left the rest of his body in good shape ahead of the 2012 Super Rugby season.

Brown’s World Cup hopes were dashed when he was forced to undergo a major operation on his troublesome right shoulder in July after playing through the pain for much of the Super season.

The 27-year-old was out of action for around three months after the operation and is still yet to resume full contact drills.

But the 103kg backrower has been able to participate in the fitness aspects of the Force’s gruelling pre-season, which started two months ago.

“I’m probably physically less injured than I’ve been for the past three years,” Brown said on Thursday in the final session before the Christmas break.

“It’s been a long road but I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and I can’t wait to get back after Christmas.”

Brown admits he’s got a lot to prove before even thinking about breaking back into the Wallabies fold again.

A gruelling pre-season training campaign at the Force is on the top of his agenda.

But if the Force players thought the current program was tough, they are in for even more pain after Christmas.

“Pre-season will go up another level in January,” coach Richard Graham said.

“We get the six Wallabies back from their break and that will add a little more competition and a little more pressure, which is great.

“At this stage I’m happy with where we’ve got to.”