Nowell eyes 2020 vision
WATCH JACK NOWELL'S POST-GAME INTERVIEW HERE
By Mark Stevens
1/1/20
Jack Nowell believes an exciting 2020 lies in wait for him and the Exeter Chiefs.
Devon’s finest start the New Year sitting top of the pile, both in the Gallagher Premiership and the Heineken Champions Cup, following an impressive start to both competitions.
Last Sunday’s 14-7 victory over Saracens at a packed out Sandy Park ensured 2019 finished on the perfect note, but Nowell says that result must merely act as the springboard for big things moving forward.
Ahead of kick-off, the England and British Lions star walked out onto the pitch with daughter Nori and life-long mate, Luke Cowan-Dickie, to celebrate both Cornishmen being inducted into Exeter’s Centurion Club,
Both players received a standing ovation from all four corners of the stadium and they took that feel-good factor into the match itself, as the Chiefs established a 14-0 lead courtesy of converted tries from Nic White and Jacques Vermeulen.
Defending champions Saracens reduced the deficit with a late penalty try, but there was to be no stopping the Chiefs, who were able to enact some revenge on the Londoners, who defeated them 37-34 in last season’s Premiership Final at Twickenham.
“I’m very happy with the result,” said a beaming Nowell at the final whistle. “It was to be out there with the boys and it was great to go out before the game with Dickie and Nori. It was a tough battle out there all day, but it’s one we managed to come out on top of.”
In what has been a mixed 2019 for Nowell, who as well as losing the Premiership Final, also had to overcome a series of untimely injuries ahead of and during the Rugby World Cup in Japan, Sunday’s success at least ensured a happy ending to the year.
Asked what his New Year’s resolution would be, Nowell replied: “To stay fit.”
A fully-fit Nowell would certainly be a huge asset, not only to the Chiefs, but also England, who begin their Six Nations Championship campaign away to France on Sunday, February 2.
That looms large on the horizon, but before then Nowell will be looking to continue performing for the Chiefs, starting with Sunday’s Premiership trip to rivals London Irish.
Having played a significant part in the Devon club’s rise over the past ten years, Nowell echoes the comments of other team-mates, who believe the best is yet to come from the ambitious Chiefs.
“When you say it like that, it makes me feel old,” joked Nowell. “But we’ve slowly progressed over that time. As a club we’ve had a taste of top-flight rugby, top-flight competitions, winning titles, and things like that.
“I think all of us don’t want to let go of that feeling. Together, we feel there is lots more to gain and lots more to win. Right now, we’re going well in all competitions and we’ve finished the year well, but there is lots more to gain next year.
“As I said, we’re in a very good position and it’s down to all those boys in the changing room. We’re all very ambitious and everyone is fighting for a position in the first team. That is what is driving us and, hopefully, it’s what will bring us success.”
Certainly, the Chiefs underlined against Saracens last weekend that they have the guile and fighting spirit to live up to Nowell’s predictions moving forward.
“I think we showed what we are all about,” added Nowell. “We didn’t have a lot of ball, nor did we attack like we normally do. However, we back our defence and it showed in that game. Everyone stood up, especially the forwards, and that won us the game.”
More of the same will be needed from Nowell and his fellow Chiefs against the newly-promoted Exiles this weekend. Irish come into the game on the back of a 20-6 loss at Worcester Warriors last Saturday. That defeat saw them drop to ninth in the standings on 12 points after seven rounds.