Director of rugby Conor O'Shea is hoping Quins full back Mike Brown gets the chance he deserves with England during the Six Nations.

The 26-year-old, named Aviva Premiership player of the month for December, was named in acting head coach Stuart Lancaster's first elite player squad last week.

He celebrated with the winning try in Saturday night's 20-14 Heineken Cup win over Gloucester at the Stoop that gives his side a chance of reaching the knock-out stages of the competition.

Brown, who won the last of his three caps in 2008, is vying with Northampton Saints' Ben Foden for the England 15 shirt and O'Shea believes he deserves at least a go.

"If you've got competition for places you get people pushing each other," he said.

"Brownie is playing outstanding rugby at the moment. His touching kicking is good, his last line defence is good and he is the one who has the happy knack of scoring the important tries,.

"It is great for England to have two full backs playing at that level and it is probably pushing Ben to raise his levels even higher.

"It is a great little battle. Hopefully, Brownie gets a look in at some stage in the Six Nations. He deserves to see if he can play at that level."

And the man himself reckons he is ready to take his chance.

"I have been fortunate enough to have gained 3 caps already for my country but I truly believe I am a much better player than I was in 2008, and hopefully I can continue to develop and add to this," added Brown.

Another player looking for a chance to shine at international level is Quins prop Joe Marler - a second half replacement for Mark Lambert on Saturday, And England forwards coach Graeme Rowntree has told the former Richmond College student he still has plenty to prove.

"You can't hide from what Joe Marler has done in the Premiership, but he has got to prove to us that he can do it in the Test arena," he told the RFU podcast.

"He has got some inconsistencies in his game, which a lot of young forwards have when they get into the national squad.

"But I have every confidence he will be able to step up."