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'A bit of a crippling blow...': Update issued by Exeter on latest Jack Nowell injury setback

(Photo by PA)

Exeter have sounded hopeful that the season isn’t over for Jack Nowell despite the winger suffering yet another injury setback during last weekend’s Gallagher Premiership win over Worcester, his third comeback game after being on the sidelines since last October. 

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Having made his long-awaited return on April 17 as a replacement versus Wasps, Nowell was chosen to start on the right wing against leaders Bristol the following weekend. 

However, his third appearance was cut short after 52 minutes of the 41-10 win over the Warriors, prompting fears that the 28-year-old – last capped for England at the 2019 World Cup – was finished for a season in which Exeter have a maximum of six matches remaining if they make the June 26 decider.

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Exeter boss Rob Baxter has now admitted that there is optimism that Nowell could yet be available for the title run-in, especially as the winger’s mental reaction to his latest setback has been positive.

Asked how the Chiefs were shaping up on the injury front ahead of next Tuesday’s trip to London Irish, Baxter said: “We have got a few bumps and bruises and a few twangs and strains but nothing longish term other than Jack Nowell looks like he is going to be at least a few weeks. 

“He unfortunately sprained his MCL in that awkward tackle the way he fell which was a bit of a crippling blow for him because he had only just got back fit and was looking very good and sharp. He had really taken his time in his rehab to get 100 per cent right so that is a disappointment for him and for us but hopefully this won’t be the end of his season and we will see him before the end.

“Anyone who was watching (last Saturday) would have seen him come off and he was pretty distraught straight after the game but he is a real positive character and he is one of these guys who looks at the positives as soon as he can. I’d a couple of chats with him this week, one on the phone and then a couple of chats in-person,” continued Baxter about a player he had touted some weeks ago as a credible Lions candidate.

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“All he is focused on now is getting himself fit and available if possible for late-season games. He is brilliant like that and he comes through those situations really well in the past so we are going to give him every opportunity to have some more input in our season.”

 

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JW 17 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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