Breakdown was crucial in derby wins says Brown

The 27-year-old played a starring role as Glasgow claimed a 25-12 win at Firhill followed by a 22-15 triumph at Murrayfield in the space of six days during the Christmas and New Year period.

And Brown, who has featured in all bar one of Glasgow's 10 Magners League games, has no doubt that the manner in which the current league leaders attacked the ruck situations played a huge role in securing Scottish bragging rights.

"The games were a war of attrition and whoever won the battle of the packs would go on to win them both," Brown told the Glaswegian.

"Plus that unique shirt of Edinburgh's was quite loud and I suppose it was like a red rag to a bull! But joking aside we knew we had to push them back in order to give Dan (Parks) a platform to build on.

"The breakdown was important and as a back-row forward it is vital you win that.

"One of the coaches here Shade Munro has been working on that since the Ospreys defeat where they outplayed us in that department. And it has paid off as we were first to the ball and had Edinburgh on the backfoot."

As for his own performances, Brown is quietly content with his showing against Scotland rival Alan MacDonald.

The six foot four inch 17 stone blindside received rave reviews following both games, with may observers suggesting he had done enough to win a starting berth when Scotland begin their Six Nations campaign against France on February 7.

But Brown himself is far less assuming. The former Border Reivers star would love to add to his tally of 27 international caps but he knows there is plenty of hard work still to come in the Magners League.

"I hope I've laid down a marker for Andy (Robinson) but it is his decision," added Brown.

"Yes I've played well in the wins over Edinburgh but I need to do it again at Leinster on Friday and for every game before the Six Nations starts in order to stand a chance.

"It has been said that the Glasgow-Edinburgh doubleheader is effectively a trial for Six Nations selection but I believe it is really about the season as a whole and who is on form for their club.

"The fans may see the two games as a trial but for the players it is about nailing the basics rights and doing the best you can - if a Scotland call follows then that is a bonus."