Nowell focused on task ahead

By Mark Stevens
25/2/23

If this is to be a last season at Sandy Park for Jack Nowell, then the Cornishman is hellbent on ensuring it will be one to remember, not just for him, but for his team-mates and Exeter Chiefs supporters alike.

Since walking through the doors at Sandy Park, the 29-year-old has always had something about him. Initially the scrawny youngster had a rats-tail dangling from the back of his flowing locks, these days his peroxide-blonde hairline is supplemented with a colourful array of tattoos across all parts of his well-honed physique.

On the field, he is equally not what you expect of the traditional winger. Never afraid to go searching for work, he will happily canter in off his week to blast a ruck or take the ball and challenge the opposition with his powerful leg drive and stylish side-stepping antics.

He is - and will always be - a Chiefs legend. Part of a golden generation, which includes the likes of Dave Ewers, Henry Slade and childhood mate, Luke Cowan-Dickie - they have all combined to not only carve our success at the highest level in their own rights, but also for the Chiefs as well.

Winning a historic double in 2020 will no doubt be a highlight for all of them, as will Nowell’s own selection for the British & Irish Lions in 2017 and the numerous Test caps he has now accrued for England over the years.

However, should this be the ‘Last Dance’ for the the man who only took up rugby so that he could fleece his old man of a few pound coins each Sunday morning, this current campaign is one that he wants to ensure is right up there in terms of magic moments.

“There is going to be a lot of boys leaving at the end of the season,” he said. “Lots of them have been here a long time and together we’ve enjoyed some unbelievable moments, on and off the field. Because of that, I think everyone wants to ensure that this season is one that we will all remember.

“Right now, we’re in a good place on all fronts. We’re in a Cup final, we’re going well in European and the quest now is to get in that top four and, hopefully, into those latter stages of the Premiership.”

And for that Premiership quest to be achieved, it will be games like that of today that will go a long way to deciding if the Chiefs will be returning to Twickenham come May for the end of season showpiece.

Standing in their way will be a Sale Sharks outfit who, along with leaders Saracens, have this season set the pace at the front end of the Premiership.

“I think whenever you come up against Sale, you always know you’re going to be in for one hell of a physical battle,” said Nowell, who earlier this week became a dad for the third time. “They are a very good side with a number of top quality players, a few of whom we know well from their days down here at the Chiefs.

“For us, though, we have to focus mainly on ourselves. We know that if we get things right our end, then we’re a tough side to beat. Playing at home always gives you that advantage and other than Saracens, who beat us with the last kick of the game, we haven’t lost here this season.

“That was one of our goals at the start of the season, as a squad we said we wanted to get back to making Sandy Park a fortress again. I think we’ve done that, but we need to keep it going because this is the business end of the season and where the results really matter.”

And a big performance from Nowell this afternoon will also serve as a timely reminder to England head coach Steve Borthwick that he’s not given up his hopes of playing in a third Rugby World Cup later this year.

Certainly, Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, is backing his man, adding: “I can quite easily see him demanding his way back into the squad. The key for us as coaches is we can create a platform for guys to have that opportunity.”