Nowell outlines departure decision
By Mark Stevens
2/5/23
He’s been part and parcel of the Exeter Chiefs for almost half his life but, in a few weeks time, Jack Nowell will bid farewell to Sandy Park, ready for a new start across the English Channel.
Although confirmation of where the England and British & Irish Lions star will feature next season hasn’t been officially confirmed, those who know there rugby know exactly where the 30-year-old will be plying his trade next term.
On Sunday, the Cornishman led the Chiefs into their Heineken Champions Cup semi-final with defending champions La Rochelle looking for one last hurrah with his mates, several of whom will also be exiting Devon for pastures new in a legacy of Covid and a tightened salary cap.
Sadly for Nowell, his hopes of a fairytale ending to his time with the Chiefs were extinguished by a powerful display from Ronan O’Gara’s side, whom he is heavily tipped to join, at the impressive Matmut Stadium in Bordeaux.
La Rochelle’s 47-28 victory was certainly deserved and ensured they set themselves up for a mouth-watering showdown with Leinster in Dublin at the end of this month.
Over 12 years have passed since Nowell first made his Exeter debut - that was against the Ospreys in an LV- Cup clash - but since then he has played an integral part in the rise of the Chiefs, helping them to two Premiership Rugby titles, as well as a Heineken Champions Cup crown.
However, his decision to move his family away from many of his home comforts is one that has certainly pulled on the heart strings of Nowell.
“Deciding to leave the Chiefs was one of the hardest positions I have ever been in,” he said. “But, if I’m honest, during the Covid times the club decided to look after us and our families and like we are seeing with every Premiership club there comes a time when wage does come into it.
“A lot of the other clubs got hit during Covid and for us as a club we are being hit now. I have got a growing family and I have got to put them first at times. That is what made it so hard to leave Chiefs; how much I love the club, I love the coaches, I love everything about it but I have got to look after my family.
“My family is growing and for me it was my time to take that pay cut. [But] was it the right time for my family [to take a pay cut]? Certainly not.”
There was another significant factor. Nowell has an adventurous streak in him and he craved the chance to leave his comfort zone and tackle something new and different.
“There does come a time for me and my family where we were very keen to experience something else,’ he said. ‘I am quite an open person; I like to get my family out and experience different things.
“Exeter is all I know so to come and experience something else… if I come to La Rochelle or not… is going to be unbelievable.’ A coastal destination was non-negotiable. ‘As much as I would love to be in Paris, I love the sea,” he added.
Before he does goes, however, Nowell wants to ensure his Exeter experience ends on a high - and that includes doing his bit as the Chiefs look to wrap up their Premiership campaign at London Irish this Saturday.
Whether or not he and others get their chance to bow out in Brentford remains to be seen, but Nowell insists the Chiefs will be in sound shape moving forward, even tipping the next golden generation to fly the flag high and proud for years to come.
“We have been talking about a rebuild phase now,” he said. “Like Rob said, we have got some young players playing in Champions Cup semi-finals. Will Becconsall at nine, Tommy Wyatt, Marcus Street; this is only going to be good for those boys.
“I remember experiencing losses. It wasn’t on stages like this, but in the Premiership. It was very different at the time and that made me a better player. The club are in very good hands, I know there are a few big names leaving but that only creates a few more names to become big in a Chiefs shirt.
“Personally, I am quite an open person. I like to get my family out and experience different things. Exeter is all I know so to come and experience something else, if I come to La Rochelle or not, is going to be an unbelievable one and one will be very excited for.
“But to bring it back – and I don’t want to be boring – I don’t want to finish my Chiefs career feeling like I do now. We have got a big game against London Irish, I am not sure what the coaches are going to be doing with the team next week but I very much hope I am involved just so I can go out on a high.”