NOWELL’S DEVON HEAVEN BEFORE KIWI TOUR

WASPS 20 EXETER 23 (after extra time; 20-20 at 80 min)

JACK NOWELL made the 320mile round trip from London to Exeter on Saturday night to enjoy his club’s moment of history before joining up with the British & Irish Lions. The Chiefs winger enjoyed another superb afternoon’s work at Twickenham, scoring a brilliant first-half try as Rob Baxter’s men earned a stunning extra-time victory over Wasps in the Aviva Premiership final. Gareth Steenson’s 98th-minute penalty sparked extraordinary celebrations for the Chiefs and their travelling army of fans. Nowell opted to travel back to the West Country, sharing ‘cider and pasties’ on the long journey home before an early start yesterday morning. ‘I set all my targets on this final game,’ Nowell said. ‘I’m going to enjoy it because it means so much to us. The taxi is booked for 7am but I’m going to make sure I enjoy it. Times like this don’t come round very often. ‘Some players go through their whole career and don’t lift a trophy. To lift the main trophy in England — I’m going to enjoy it. ‘Then all my focus will be on trying to get one of those Test shirts. A complete switch, a complete different mentality. As soon as I’m on that taxi ride on my way up I’ll be thinking of what’s ahead of me — getting the chance to play for the Lions, which is any rugby player’s dream. I want to go for one of those shirts.’ Nowell’s latest stellar showing justified his Lions selection after missing out on a starting spot for England’s final Six Nations game, a defeat in Ireland. He was not the only one to perform on the big stage just 12 months after losing in the final against Saracens. ‘There was a completely different feeling in the build-up to this game to how it was a year ago,’ said lock Geoff Parling. Parling also paid tribute to fly-half Steenson, saying: ‘He is mentally very, very strong. He will always step up, he will always want those big moments. He drives the team forward. ‘In extra time, you are waiting for that one little advantage, one little mistake, but what a game it was. It is just reward for the way the lads have gone about their business.’ Exeter’s win completed a remarkable seven-year journey after being promoted from the Championship in 2010. Long-serving chairman Tony Rowe has set his sights on conquering Europe and Nowell — born and raised in Penzance — believes the triumph will prove a springboard for rugby in the South West. ‘It’s massive. Not only for Exeter and Devon but for Cornwall too. ‘Our support is one of the best in the Premiership and we were able to repay them. Not like last year when we came up here then went home with our tails down. We’ve lifted the trophy.’