Brown says recalled Nowell is best England winger he has played with
Mike Brown insists a resurgent Jack Nowell must be restored to England’s backline after acclaiming him as the greatest winger he has played alongside.
Nowell is in contention to win his first cap since the 2019 World Cup in the Guinness Six Nations opener against Scotland on February 5 after overcoming a dire run of injuries.
Impressed by his renewed impact for Exeter, Eddie Jones recalled the 28-year-old to his 36-strong training squad that will begin preparations for the Championship in Brighton next week.
Nowell, who owns a pub in his home town of Newlyn and has lost a stone and a half in weight and England’s most capped full-back Brown believes he still has the x-factor to make a difference.
“IfIhadtochooseonewingertoplayalongsidemeitwould definitely be him,” Land Rover ambassador Brown said.
“He’s the best wing I’ve played alongside and I’ve played alongside a lot of unbelievable wingers. He’s such a talent, he does things that other wingers can’t do.
“Hehasthefundamentalsat thehighestlevellockeddown– he’s great under the high ball, has great kicking skills and positionally he’s brilliant.
“But he also has that stardust, he’s unbelievable at beatingplayersandhealwaysbeats the first defender.
“He’s strong on his feet and he’squick,butIalsolovethathe does the pick and goes and the hard stuff like getting over the ball. He’s involvements are top class and are all over the field – he gets his hands on the ball around the ruck, off nine, out wide,constantlyoutoftheback of shape.”
Jones was convinced that thetimeisrighttorecallNowell after seeing his all-action display against Glasgow on Saturday,notingthat“Jackdefinitely looks more like a rugby player and less like a bodybuilder”.
Brown, who won 72 caps between 2007 and 2018, believes his former back three colleague is flourishing after making changes in lifestyle.
“It’s great to hear that he’s doingthatnowbecausehe’s28. He needs to look after his body becausehehasn’tbeenblessed with luck in terms of injuries,” Brown said.
“He hasn’t been blessed with the best body shape either because he can look at a bit of food and put weight on! He’s a big boy!
“It suits him and his game to be a bit slimmer because he doesn’t need big bulk on him. He’s strong anyway and for his work rate he needs that slimmer body shape.”