MIKE Brown avenged one of the darkest days of his career as England opened up their RBS 6 Nations campaign with a 21-16 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Two years ago Stuart Lancaster’s men travelled to Cardiff knowing a first Grand Slam in ten years was just 80 minutes away, only to be mauled 30-3 in a harrowing afternoon.

Southampton-born Brown started on the wing and was powerless to prevent a 9-3 half-time deficit descending into a record defeat in the fixture.

Wales were crowned champions while England faced calls to rebuild their team.

But Brown and his England teammates turned the tables on Wales tonight, clawing their way back from a 16-8 half-time deficit to win 21-16.

Brown, a former Peter Symonds College student, set up England’s first try with a deft kick that allowed Anthony Watson to run through and collect his first England try.

Jonathan Joseph added a second try for the visitors in the second half while George Ford added 11 points with the boot.

Former England head coach Sir Clive Woodward hailed the results as a “huge, huge win for England”.