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THE influence of director of football Neil Dewsnip on Plymouth Argyle’s squad building has become increasingly apparent, writes Chris Errington.
Dewsnip previously worked for the Football Association as the technical lead for England’s 17-21 age groups.
In that role, he got to coach some of the country’s best emerging talent from top Premier League clubs.
Now Dewsnip is putting that to good use for Argyle when it comes to player recruitment as he offers advice and support to manager Ryan Lowe.
Former England under-19 international Kell Watts was signed on a season-long from Premier League Newcastle United last summer and has proved to be a success.
Then, in January, the Pilgrims brought in Adam Lewis on loan from Liverpool and signed striker Niall Ennis from Wolves on a permanent deal.
Lewis and Ennis were part of the same England under-19s squad as Watts, so between them and Dewsnip (pictured) there was already a connection.
Ennis, who has already scored a couple of goals for Argyle, admitted the presence of Dewsnip at Argyle was a factor behind his move to the League One club.
“He was my England 19s manager,” said the 21-year-old. “I know Adam Lewis and Kell from there as well.
“I have known Neil for quite a while and he was one of the key components to bringing me here.
“He just explained to me how the club is, and I have experienced it already in such a short time. It’s a really good club.”
With Dewsnip’s insight into youth talent across the country, the Green Army can expect to see further similar signings in the future.
EXETER Chiefs are on the brink of welcoming England winger Jack Nowell back into the fold this weekend ahead of facing Northampton Saints on Saturday.
The former British and Irish Lions back has not featured yet this season having undergone surgery on his toe ligament back in October after playing through the pain to start in both of the club’s final successes at the end of the 2019/20 season.
However the 27-year-old, who has 34 caps for England and two for the Lions, has come through his return to training without any issues and could be set for a Sandy Park return.
Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “This week we have had Jack Nowell back in full training and we are hoping that if his loading goes well he can be declared fit to play by the end of this week, because he is virtually in full training now.
“If he has no repercussions this week he could be cleared and available to be named in the squad on Friday.”
Baxter also confirmed openside flanker Jacques Vermeulen could make a return to action this weekend having also recovered from surgery in the offseason when the South African had an operation on his shoulder.
The forward was an integral part of Baxter’s double-winning outfit, featuring 26 times in all competitions, scoring nine tries in the process.
Baxter said: “Jacques Vermulen has had a full week of training this week, if his loading is all okay this week he could well be cleared by Friday so it is obviously great to have those two guys back.”
Baxter’s men will be looking to make it four successive victories in the Premiership, after back-toback defeats to Bristol and Wasps, and a victory for them, coupled with a failure for Bristol to overcome London Irish on Sunday, would see the men from Devon return to the top of the Premiership table.