Jack Nowell: I’m loving life on and off the pitch at La Rochelle

By Brendan McGilligan

As Jack Nowell stepped off the plane to start his La Rochelle career, he was stepping into the unknown challenges that would wrap his brain for the initial settling-in period.

How would he get to terms with the language? How would he and his family adapt in a new country with a completely alien language? And would he miss English rugby, international and domestic?

Over his 18-month career in the south-western coastal city, those questions have been answered.

Embracing the culture

Nowell said: “My family have really enjoyed their time here, and we still are enjoying it now. Look at the weather here; it is an incredible day, and it is December.

“I was on the beach yesterday with my kids having a runaround, so that side of life is brilliant. The kids are a lot more settled in school now, which makes life a lot easier.

“My kids are speaking a lot more now, and they have little French accents as well when they do speak, so it’s quite cool seeing them playing with their friends outside speaking French; it spurs me on to learn it more. I think I’m getting it, then one of the other boys starts speaking, and I realise how much I have got to learn!”

Last season the winger signed a contract extension until the end of the 2026-27 season, with Nowell turning 34 by the end of that deal.

Due to the RFU’s selection ruling, it means players at French clubs are not eligible to be selected for Test rugby by national head coach Steve Borthwick, meaning it is unlikely he will add to his 46 England caps.

No Regrets

However, the 2017 British and Irish Lions tourist doesn’t regret his decision to potentially bring an end to his Test career.

Nowell said: “You would play your Premiership games and then go off to your autumn internationals or Six Nations, and then you’re automatically back because you have a club fixture.

“So you always have to be at your best and struggling to recover each week, whereas not being involved in those matches means you can have more time with the family.

“I had a week in Marrakesh with my family during the season, which was a shock to the system for me and especially my wife, as we could actually go on a week’s holiday in the sun, travelling by aeroplane and completely switching off from rugby. It was nice.”

Nowell believes he is in the greatest shape he has been in for a while and credits this to the absence of international rugby, the French weather, and his La Rochelle head coach, Ronan O’Gara.

The 31-year-old says the former Ireland fly-half was key in helping him settle and creating an environment for him to flourish.

Adapting to the Top 14

He said: “I was fully aware of what he expected and what he wanted from me before coming over, and I learned the stuff that he needed very quickly.

“What he wants from this team is what I’ve based my rugby on: hard work and working for your teammates around you, so as long as I am doing that on the field and during the training week, I am sure I can’t go too far wrong.

“ROG is very good at managing players and giving boys weeks off when they need it and making sure you are fresh for games.”

Champions Cup ambitions

Nowell, a Champions Cup winner with Exeter in 2020, is determined to lift the trophy for the second time and help La Rochelle lift their third this season, after the disappointing manner in which the French outfit crashed out to Leinster last season in the quarter-final.

He said: “It is extremely difficult, but this team knows what it takes to win it. Everything in the Champions Cup is about getting out of your pool.”

“Our away form isn’t the best at the moment in the Top 14, but the Champions Cup does bring another edge. It brings a different motivation for the boys, especially with the history this team has had with the competition.

“So, I’m not looking too far ahead to the final games, as the key thing is picking up the points in your group.”

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