Jack Nowell's next club has finally been confirmed after Exeter Chiefs exit
Rugby NewsWednesday, 19 July 2023 at 19:50
Former Exeter Chiefs winger Jack Nowell, renowned for his exceptional career in rugby, has recently been unveiled as the latest signing for the esteemed Top 14 heavyweight side, La Rochelle.
This exciting development marks a significant chapter in Nowell's journey, having spent an impressive 12 years honing his skills at the esteemed Premiership outfit, Exeter Chiefs.
Throughout his illustrious career, Nowell has made a name for himself as an outstanding winger, showcasing his remarkable talent and prowess on the rugby field.
During his tenure at Exeter Chiefs, Nowell played an instrumental role in the club's rise to prominence. He was an integral part of the team that clinched multiple titles, including the Champions Cup.
Nowell's decision to embark on a new chapter in his career by joining La Rochelle signifies his ambition to explore fresh challenges and make a mark in the highly competitive Top 14 league. This move demonstrates the confidence placed in Nowell's abilities by La Rochelle, a team widely regarded as one of the heavyweights in European rugby.
As the reigning Champions Cup holders, La Rochelle provides Nowell with an opportunity to showcase his skills on a grand stage and compete against some of the finest rugby talent in the world. With his wealth of experience and undeniable talent, Nowell is poised to make a significant impact on his new team's success and contribute to their pursuit of further achievements in the Top 14 league and beyond.
Jack Nowell of England during the Match between England and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium on 19 June 2022. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
"Deciding to leave the Chiefs was one of the hardest positions I have ever been in,” Nowell said after his final game for Exeter in May.
“But, if I’m honest, during the Covid times, the club decided to look after us and our families, and like we are seeing with every Premiership club, there comes a time when wage does come into it.
“A lot of the other clubs got hit during Covid, and for us as a club, we are being hit now. I have got a growing family, and I have got to put them first at times. That is what made it so hard to leave Chiefs; how much I love the club, I love the coaches, I love everything about it, but I have got to look after my family.
“My family is growing, and for me it was my time to take that pay cut. [But] was it the right time for my family [to take a pay cut]? Certainly not."
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EXETER'S FIVE SIGNINGS FOR NEXT SEASON
#1. Will Haydon-Wood
Heading to Sandy Park ahead of the 2023/24 season is former Newcastle Falcons and Wasps fly-half, Will Haydon-Wood, who will join the Gallagher Premiership club from French Pro D2 side, Massy Esonne.
The 22-year-old playmaker is no strange to English rugby’s top-flight and his addition is another boost for the Chiefs, who have already confirmed the arrivals of Joe Hawkins and Ethan Roots from the Ospreys.
“It’s a really exciting move for me,” said the former England Under-20s international. “Obviously, I’ve come up against the Chiefs in the past and I know how much of a force they have become, not just within the English game, but also across Europe as well.
“Talking with Rob [Baxter] he’s outlined the vision of the club and how they are in the process of building a new and exciting, young squad. Listening to what he had to say and with the players they have at the club, it was a pretty easy decision in the end.”
Having started this season at Wasps following a number of years at the Falcons, Haydon-Wood was forced to look for new employment last October when the Midlands club were forced to withdraw from all competitions following the collapse of the former English and European champions.
#2. Ethan Root
The 25-year-old forward is Rob Baxter’s latest addition to his squad for the 2023/24 season and will join from United Rugby Championship outfit, Ospreys Rugby, this summer.
The all-action, back-rower joined the Welsh region in March 2021 from the Crusaders and has since gone on to establish himself as a physical on-field force.
The arrival of Roots will come some way to helping fill the void left by the departing Dave Ewers and Sam Simmonds, two men the newcomer admitted he has high praise for.
“Everyone knows there are some big names leaving the club, but for me that is part of the challenge, I want to try and help fill those big shoes,” said Roots.
“It’s an exciting move for me and my family and I’m looking forward to having a crack at the Premiership for the first time. Chatting with Rob, he outlined the vision for the future of the club and how he wants us as players to lay the foundations for the years to come.
“As I said, I like a challenge and I like the thought of us being underdogs with a real point to prove. Exeter are an established club, one with great history and tradition, and for me it’s a great move for me at this time in my career.”
#3. Ross Vintcent
The dynamic, young back-row forward has come into the Chiefs set-up through the club's close links with the University of Exeter, where Vintcent has established himself as a key figure in Keith Fleming's first-team plans.
South-African born, Vintcent was named in the Italian Rugby Federation Academy for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons and was also part of the Zebre squad, making his debut for the club in the re-arranged Round 12 United Rugby Championship encounter with Cardiff Rugby in May 2022. He would feature twice more that season - against Treviso and Connacht - before making the move to Exeter.
Linking up with the Chiefs, it was clear to see the talents of the all-action flanker, who made his debut for the club in the Premiership Rugby Cup clash away to Bristol Bears in September 2022.
#4. Joe Hawkins
he highly-rated Welsh international is Rob Baxter’s first major signing ahead of the 2023/24 season and arrives in Devon on a long-term deal.
His signing, however, is somewhat of a coup for the Chiefs and Baxter, who is quietly assembling a gifted and talented young squad to take the club forward for years to come.
“I’m really excited about the move,” said Hawkins. “It’s a new challenge for me and something a bit different, especially moving away from my home region, who I will always be thankful to for giving me the playing opportunities that I've had up until now. That said, it does feel a home away from home, especially with all the Welsh boys that are down there already.”
Indeed, the 20-year-old back already has a glut of familiar faces to welcome him to the club, having played previously with the likes of Oli Burrows, Dafydd Jenkins, Dan John and Christ Tshiunza at age group levels.
“I know a few of the boys already, which will definitely help the settling in process,” added Hawkins. “I’ve spoken to a few of them and they’ve told me plenty of good things about the club and the culture that exists down there.
“Also, chatting with Rob and Ali [Hepher], I liked what they had to say about how they want to play and how they want to create a new team capable of challenging at the very top. That really appealed to me, I wanted to be part of it, and I wanted to be there at the start of this journey.
“Over the years the Chiefs have been known for bringing through youngsters and giving them their chance on the biggest stages. I want to be part of that and I want to try and take the club onwards and upwards.”
#5. Eoin O’Connor
The 22-year-old forward is Rob Baxter’s latest new addition to the playing ranks at Sandy Park ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Highly-rated back in his native Ireland, O’Connor is certainly a formidable force, standing at 6ft 7ins and topping the scales at 17 stone, and heads to Devon having played for the province in both the United Rugby Championship, as well as the Heineken Champions Cup.
“It’s a great opportunity for me, especially with the squad we have here,” said the Waterford-born lock. “It’s a young squad, but having chatted with Rob [Baxter] he outlined the vision of the club moving forward and I was very excited by that.
“I’ve had four incredible years at Munster, coming straight out of school into their Academy, and learnt so much from the coaches and players like Tadhg Beirne, RG Snyman and Fineen Wycherley. Others too like Craig Casey and Peter O’Mahony, they were brilliant in terms of my development and for getting advice off.”
However, the chance to test himself in a new environment and a new league across the Irish Sea was something that clearly appealed to O’Connor.
“I wouldn’t say I know too much about the Premiership,” he added. “Obviously, we’ve faced English teams in Europe, including the Chiefs, so you get to know a little about them, but I’m looking forward to going to the different grounds, playing different teams and learning more about their rivalries.
“Having Saracens first up, you want to test yourselves against the big boys early on and there are no bigger than them.”
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