Jack’s jumping to be let off Chiefs leash
EXETER Chiefs wing Jack Nowell is poised to return to action from the quad injury that has sidelined him for much of the season and launch his bid to reclaim his England jersey.
The 23-year-old has been out of action for eight weeks having picked up the injury during the infamous England training camp in October that also saw Wasps’ Sam Jones break his leg and Bath’s Anthony Watson suffer a broken jaw.
It was Nowell’s second major injury set-back of the year having previously battled back from thumb surgery but he is now ready to make up for lost time and battle his way back into England’s plans ahead of the Six Nations.
“It’s been a long few months for me to be honest but I am getting to the end of it now,” said Nowell, who is in line for an A League appearance this week ahead of a return to first team action during the Chiefs’ Champions Cup double-header with Bordeaux-Begles.
Nowell has played just 23 minutes for Exeter this season and has been a frustrated observer as the Chiefs suffered a disappointing start to their Premiership and European campaign.
He told The Rugby Paper: “It’s been very difficult to sit back and watch. Everyone hates losing, and especially so after the season we had last year, so to finally be towards the end of it and be back involved with the boys is massive for me.”
That irritation extends to losing his international place having been a key part of England’s Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year and the series victory over Australia in June.
“You work so hard to get that shirt, to play for your country and then to come back off a tour and be injured again and lose that opportunity to continue to play for your country is tough, especially with the team doing so well. It is gutting not be involved in that,” he said.
However, Nowell is grateful for Jones’ support and interest in his recovery having been called into the squad last week for a medical review.
“It’s been an extremely busy time for Eddie and the team at the moment and they are concentrating on that - but to invite me up to camp to get me back involved and check in with the physios shows me that they are still interested in where I am with my rehab and that was very reassuring.”