JACK’S BACK TO CRACK IT
JACK NOWELL showed England what they had been missing with a try double that helped seal Exeter’s play-off spot.
Eddie Jones was in the stands as Nowell came off the bench in the 15th minute after being out of action for six weeks to push Chiefs to their biggest Premiership win over Gloucester.
The wing missed the last two games of England’s disastrous Six Nations with ankle trouble but was at his sharpshooting best as the relentless champions went eight points clear.
His run-in on 58 minutes sealed the four-try bonus point, and five minutes later he scored a candidate for Try of the Season. The 24-year-old sidestepped Gloucester full-back Tom Hudson before bouncing off Henry Trinder and Tom Marshall to run in a try he had no right to score.
Chiefs head coach Ali Hepher said: “There are not many people in this country who can do that. Jack is a quality player and it is good to get him out there.
“He will perform better week on week, there are things for him to improve and we will work on them.”
Nowell’s comeback was just one highlight of a six-try splash by Exeter, who are hitting their straps at the right time.
Prop Ali Hepburn led the charge, scoring the first try, popping up everywhere and must be nailed on for an England summer tour spot. The visitors had to make over 100 tackles within the first half-hour.
Gloucester boss Johan Ackermann said: “Exeter were ruthless. You cannot play without the ball, a mistake will come – it is a matter of time.”