Nowell wraps up 'amazing' season'

By Mark Stevens
26/6/2016

Exeter Chiefs star Jack Nowell has described England’s 3-0 drubbing of Australia in their summer tour as an “awesome feeling” and just reward for all the hard work put in over the course of a long season.

After a dismal home Rugby World Cup last year, England - under the guidance of new coach Eddie Jones - have bounced back in spectacular fashion, claiming not only a Grand Slam in this year’s Six Nations, but know claiming a first-ever series win over the Wallabies down under.

Having already accrued victories in the opening two tests in Brisbane and Melbourne, England made it a clean sweep at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney thanks to a 44-40 victory.

Dan Cole, Mike Brown, Billy Vunipola and Jamie George all crossed for visiting tries, while centre Owen Farrell wrapped up the remainder of the scoring with a 24-point haul.

Australia, who included new Chiefs signing Greg Holmes on their bench, countered with tries of their own through Dane Haylett-Petty, Michael Hooper, Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro and Bernard Foley, the latter of whom also kicked three penalties and three conversions.

It was, however, to be England’s day, much to the delight of Cornishman Nowell, who featured in all three tests during the summer tour.

“It’s another great result for us and an awesome feeling to come away with another victory,” said the 23-year-old winger. “We know we didn’t play our best today, but it shows how tight we are as a group that we were about the get through the hard times and get the win.

“To come away 3-0 is much better than 2-1. The aim at the start of the tour was to try and win all three games and now we’ve done that, we’ve put ourselves number two in the world. Now we’ve got to go again and push hard for that number one spot.”

Nowell, along with club mates Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie, will now take a well earned break following their exertions which, it has to be said, date back to last summer when the trio met up to be part of England’s World Cup plans.

“It’s been a long old season, but to finish like this is amazing,” continued Nowell. “Winning here in Australia, winning the Grand Slam and doing as well as we did at the Chiefs, it’s all been very positive  and made for a great year.

“I won’t lie, though, I’m looking forward to having a bit of a rest now. I won’t do too much, other than relax and let the body recover, but then it won’t be long before we’re all back in with the Chiefs and getting ready to go again for next season.

“As I said, it’s probably been my best-ever season, both for club and country. Having missed the summer tour a few years ago because of my knee, playing here and playing solidly for the whole year is very pleasing for me.”