The former English full-back Mike Brown was speaking to the Daily Mail on the harsh treatment he received by a club that he has been with since he was 18 years old.

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“At this stage of my career and life, it makes no sense to move but I was left with no other option. I chased the club for weeks about a new contract and, when they finally brought me in for a meeting, it lasted four minutes,” Brown said.

“Paul Gustard (former Harlequins director of rugby) told me I had no future here and I was staring down the barrel of unemployment.

“I’m 35, with a family to support and I’ve been with Harlequins since I was 18. There was no, ‘Thanks for your efforts, we’ll help you with your future.’

“It was one of the worst feelings of my life. I couldn’t get my head around it. It wasn’t like my legs have gone and I can’t get in the team any more.”

“People think you just turn up, train, play a game and go home. That’s not how it is. You put so much emotional energy into rugby. It’s your life,” Brown explained.

“When you’re pushed to the side and dismissed, you feel like you’re worthless. I went straight to my car, past Scott Baldwin, who could tell I was distraught. I just sat in the car and cried.

“Professional sport is ruthless. I’ve said it before in my columns and now I’ve experienced it first hand.”