Capital test excites Nowell
By Stuart James
25/5/18
Jack Nowell believes Exeter Chiefs are a far better team to the one that were beaten by Saracens in the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham two years ago.
Nowell was a try scorer in the Chiefs’ first final two years ago, but his effort was not enough to stop the Devon side from going down to a 28-20 defeat at Rugby HQ.
The Chiefs did return 12 months later to win their first Premiership crown, beating Wasps 23-20 in extra-time, but it is Sarries that stand between them and retaining their title this weekend.
Chiefs had to overcome Saracens in last season’s semi-final as well, but heading into this game, Cornishman Nowell feels he is part of a much stronger Chiefs side than the class of 2016.
“Two years ago, it wasn’t until the second half that we really kicked on, but I think we are a completely different team to the one two years ago,” Nowell said. “That was our first taste of it. We are definitely more experienced now in those situations and even last year, we changed a lot of things from the year before.
“We can’t rely on what happened last year because it will be a different situation and a different game. We have worked extremely hard this season. I haven’t been a massive part through all the games because injury issues have made that difficult, but the team have come this far now and we have one more hurdle, one more game at the big stage again.
“This week has been awesome considering the performance that we put in at the weekend. Sometimes you can nip off, but the boys came in on Monday and were ready to go again. The boys are extremely excited.”
Nowell has been a try scorer in each of the last two finals and he will be determined to make it a personal hat-trick.
“I’ll try my best!” he said. “I try and get a try in every single game, but the important thing is the team and as long as we win, I won’t really be too fussed.”
This season has been one of frustration for Nowell, though, who has missed large chunks of it through injury.
As a result if a gruelling season last year – and then being picked for the British Lions’ tour of New Zealand – it has been a long old slog for Nowell, who was left out of the England squad to tour South Africa this summer so he could rest and recuperate.
“You are always going to be fresh because the recovery here is class at the club,” he said. “I have set myself the target now to have a good off season and get fixed up then, but there is one more game to go and I am feeling very, very good going into the game.
“I was devastated to miss out on another tour, any chance to put an England shirt on is class, but it is a grown up decision in my career. I am 25-years-old, I need an ankle operation and I have a baby on the way, so it’s all going on.
“I have got to the stage where I’m not really going to try and push for the World Cup squad coming up next year. So it is a good chance to get my off season right, get off my feet and get my ankle sorted and go flying into the season next year.”
This summer will therefore present the affable Cornishman with the chance to head west and spend some time back in his Duchy homeland before he heads into another huge season for Chiefs and England, who will be looking to fare better at the World Cup than they did in 2015.
“I’ll try and get down there on my crutches as much as I can! It’ll be nice to spend a bit of time with the family, so I will make the most of it,” Nowell said.