Jack Nowell: 'They're smiling at you like you're their hero'

Jack Nowell has lifted some of the most desirable silverware within rugby, having had the privilege of winning the Six Nations on two occasions with England and winning as many Premiership titles with Exeter Chiefs along with a Champions Cup in 2020.

The former British and Irish Lion achieved everything he could in England before opting to move to the Top 14, joining Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle in 2023.

Nowell has always been viewed as a cheeky presence to have around a squad, bringing laughter out of his teammates as witnessed on social media and from the positivity that radiates off him while in conversation.

His youthful, energetic nature would make you forget that he is now 33 years old and potentially entering the elder statesman role of his career.

While he may have denied this was the case as he sat down with me during his exclusive interview with SPORTbible, his actions within the La Rochelle dressing room and with the RFU as he sat down to advise the England Under 20s during their Six Nations campaign to pass on his wisdom may paint a different picture.

Nowell said: “Maybe that’s how other people look at me.

“I'm not too sure, but I certainly don't feel like that yet.

“Maybe I should start feeling like that. But for me, I still feel very young. I still feel very much like I'm one of the young players that still has a lot to learn.

“I don't feel like I'm one of the senior boys. I never really have in a squad. But sometimes, you know, you have to take that role.

“I do a lot more speaking in meetings and in huddles, but that's probably not from me thinking I'm a leader or me doing it from a leader's point of view. It's more the fact that I just want to win, and I feel like I've always had a good, a very good understanding of, like, emotionally, where the group is or how we're feeling.

“So, I'm always quite aware of, you know, maybe we need a bit of a kick up the ass now and again in a team huddle or a team meeting just to get the boys going a little bit.

“And it's the other side where you need to be like, 'Look, ROG (Ronan O'Gara), come on, we've trained quite hard here. We need to, you know, maybe rest up a little bit. I have found myself speaking a lot more here just because of how much I want to win.”

Yet, despite getting older, his love for the game has not diminished at all, as he still loves pulling on the jersey and being able to touch the ball down for a try and experience that rush of dopamine as he makes 18,000 fans cheer in excitement at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre.

At 33 years old, he knows his career is now coming closer to the end with every passing day, but he believes he can still play at the highest level for another four years.

Nowell said: “I think another moment for me now is obviously looking up and into the stand and seeing my kids up there. They have absolutely no idea what's going on or anything, but it's pretty cool just to be able to see them waving.

“I always look up to them when I come in from the tunnel here at the Flandre. I look up; they're always waving, blowing me kisses. So again, that just like completely settles me, and I think, you know, it gives me the bigger picture of things, like you're so hyped up for this game.

“You've got 18,000 people, you know, cheering and wanting the team to win, but you look up and you see your kids that are just smiling and just happy about the fact that you've looked up and seen them and given them a wave. Certainly, it settles my nerves a lot. And again, it just reminds me of, you know, the reason why I play now is because of them.

“I'd like to make their life as good as possible. But then it also reminds me that, you know, from when I was a kid and I just got to play with my mates for a bit of fun. Because at the end of the day, it's a game of rugby. That's the reason why I started playing. That's the reason why I did it: it was for fun. And that's why I try and play with a smile on my face every single time I get a chance to.

“Because at the same time, you win, lose, or draw. When you come home, they're smiling at you like you're their hero. And they don't care whether you've dropped the ball 20 times, missed three tackles, or scored eight tries in a game. They're just happy to see you and happy that you've come home.

“So, you know, it really brings me back to being very level again and very much like, you know, the important thing is them. And, yeah, that's why I've still got both my girls' tattoos on my hand.

“So, you know, especially in times when you're in the middle of a game and it gets a bit tough, I get to look down at my hands and I'm like, 'It just gives me a bit of a jog, a bit of a reminder again.'"

Nowell has previously spoken about how he and his family struggled to adapt to life in France in the early months, with his children’s struggles in schools breaking his heart.

This from a father who has spoken previously about how important his family are to him and that their happiness is key to him and the decisions he makes regarding his career.

After several years in France his family now feel at home and love life on the Atlantic coast, as their French has drastically improved with Nowell’s daughters now educating the former England international on how he should form sentences.

This has led to suggestions that Nowell may return to England, and he has weighed up this previously, but as he nears the end of his contract in 2027, he may be looking for an extension.

Nowell said: “I would love to. I'd love to stay here. My family are very settled here. I really do believe that we can go on and win some stuff. But like you said, at the end of the day, I'm coming to an end to my contract.

"I'm, you know, getting into a certain age, and it's a bit like, well, does the club want to keep me?

“Do they want to let me go? Do they, you know, do they want to look at someone younger? But for me, I've always said that, you know, 35 or 36 is my age where I still, I'll give everything before that. You know, I didn't want to come here as a second-choice winger, as someone that can just fill in the gap. You know, I want to be the first choice. I want to have the number 14 shirt on.

“I want to play every single week. and I'll do everything I can do to win. That's certainly my sight for the next few years as well. I've got no signs of slowing down yet. My body feels as good as it has done in a few years now. Like you said, I'd love to stay here.

“My family are here, settled, but at the end of the day, I want to win stuff.”