Nowell targeting a big finale

By Mark Stevens
1/4/2016

Winger Jack Nowell knows that despite a successful Six Nations only a strong end to the season with his club side Exeter Chiefs in Aviva Premiership Rugby will guarantee his place on the plane to Australia this summer.

Nowell, 22, started all five games in England's Grand Slam winning campaign scoring a try in the first game against Scotland.

Rob Baxter's side are flying high domestically and with competition for the England wing spot from Chris Ashton (saracens), Christian Wade (Wasps) and Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath), Nowell is now fully focused on his club form.

"The most important thing is to come back and focus on playing well for your club, that's the reason why whoever played got into the team got their positions and there's no point changing that," said the Cornishman.

"We're in a very good position here, the boys have done extremely well since the internationals have been on, so we have put ourselves in a good position."

That said, Nowell has certainly impressed during his time away with England, playing a key role in helping new head coach Eddie Jones get off to a flying start.

Although away from his beloved Westcountry, Nowell knows that chances to pull on the England jersey are few and far between and that he must make the most of every opportunity afforded to him.

He added: "You miss the boys and your families but the big thing is you are there for a reason you are there to play well for your country so there's no point in dwelling on things around here.

"You need to change your mindset a bit and perform to the best of your ability while you're there. Once it's over you always come back to the club and pick up from there."

Indeed, Nowell is hoping to take his impressive international form back to club colours, starting with tomorrow's Aviva Premiership visit of in-form Worcester Warriors to Sandy Park.

With just four rounds of the scheduled season remaining, the Chiefs find themselves second in the current standings, three points behind leaders Saracens, and on course for a first-ever appearance in the end of season play-offs.

And it's a welcome return for the talented back, who missed last week's 36-18 defeat to the defending champions at Allianz Park.

"It's a very important end to the season. We've had a tough couple of weeks in the Premiership; Worcester is not going to be easy," Nowell added. "We need to fly into the game and keep ourselves in this position; we have worked extremely hard to get up there.

"The big thing for us is we have got ourselves into the top four, we are a very ambitious club and we've worked hard to get up here. The big target was the top six again but the boys have worked extremely hard all season. Now we are up in the top four we've loving being up here and we don't want to slip down.

"Worcester are a very dangerous side, they are on a good run of games at the moment, so it's not something we can take lightly. The big thing is we're back at home, we have a good record here and we want to keep that going."