England wing Jack Nowell given World Cup backing despite recent appendix op
England will not be deterred from taking Jack Nowell to the World Cup despite the latest setback that forced the Exeter wing to undergo emergency surgery in Treviso.
Nowell’s miserable run of luck continued on arrival at the squad’s training camp in north-east Italy last Wednesday, when stomach pain saw him admitted to a local hospital.
That same evening his appendix was removed and it was not until four nights later that he was released to continue his recovery, several kilograms lighter and with a ferocious appetite.
It was the latest twist in a tale of woe that has prevented him from taking part in the three World Cup warm-up games staged so far this summer.
An ankle injury sustained during the Gallagher Premiership final on June 2 resulted in surgery and, following a complication during his rehabilitation, Exeter boss Rob Baxter declared he is “touch and go” to be ready for Japan.
But England have indicated he will travel to the Far East regardless of the appendix issue in the expectation that, by the time the critical Pool C games against Argentina and France are staged, he will be healthy and at full fitness.
As his blockbusting performance in the Premiership final indicated, Nowell is a versatile back-three player who repeatedly breaks tackles. If fit, he is a certainty for Eddie Jones’ matchday 23.
“Jack’s been ‘gutsing’ it a bit. He’s a resilient bugger, a good character and not a lot gets him down. But he’s nice and hungry!” defence coach John Mitchell said.
“He’s in our World Cup squad. We’ll be backing Jack. We’re no different to a lot of squads. Everyone’s got niggles and bits and pieces. You’ve got to back and support that risk.
“There’s always risk. We’ve got to back our own instincts, our own intuition and our own strategies rather than falling into the trap of being hasty.
“At this point in time we back Jack and we’ll support him to get to that point. We wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing unless we thought that’s the way that he’s heading.”
Speaking at England’s World Cup squad announcement last month, Nowell revealed the injuries that have plagued his Test career have taken an emotional toll.
“Over the last couple of years if I’m honest I’ve really, really struggled with my injuries,” Nowell said.
“Normally I’m pretty positive and can find something to work on, but I have really struggled.
“You feel a little that you are letting them down that you can’t be out there all the time.
“You play because you want to play every single game so to be told, or for your body to tell you that you can’t play is the most frustrating thing.
“When I tore my hamstring in training in the autumn international I didn’t actually believe it.
“The physios were telling me and the scans were telling me but it was actually killing me to be told I would be out for six or seven weeks. I was in denial.”
Nowell’s Exeter team-mate Henry Slade appears increasingly unlikely to play against Italy as he he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Slade has also missed the double header against Wales and rout of Ireland to confront him with the prospect of entering the World Cup without a minute of game time in the bank since the Premiership final on June 1.
Wing Ruaridh McConnochie is expected to make his debut against Italy after recovering from a hamstring injury.
– PA
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments