Jack Nowell: I love the challenge in France

By Brendan McGilligan

A wounded animal is when it is at its most dangerous and La Rochelle intend to right some wrongs from last season.

Ronan O’Gara’s back-to-back European kings of 2022 and 2023 were eliminated from the Champions Cup by Munster in the last 16 before failing to reach the play-offs for the Top 14.

And former England wing Jack Nowell says this is a huge motivating factor for their European adventure ahead.

He told The Rugby Paper: “We let ourselves down last year, losing to Munster here.

Tough competition

“They are an incredible team, and we do back ourselves at home, but we weren’t up to standards that week.

“I’m always excited for the Champions Cup. We have a tough pool, but this is a tough competition.

“It is simple; you have to win your home games and pick up as many points as you can at your away fixtures.”

Nowell, who joined La Rochelle from Exeter in 2023, has had a disjointed start to his campaign following a calf tear near the back end of pre-season, only recently coming back into contention.

But he has wasted no time demonstrating his quality, scoring one try and assisting another in the Stade Marcel-Deflandre as the hosts waltzed their way to a 54-19 victory over Montauban.

Dedicated: Jack Nowell playing for La Rochelle
PICTURE: Getty Images

Focused

Rather than soak in the praise and admiration for his performance, the 32-year-old is focused on the next challenge.

Nowell said: “The best players in the world play here, and being here for three years now, it is extremely tough.

“The season is very long and very physical, it is different to England. Every single game is huge, not just for the physical challenge but the atmosphere of the crowds and those challenges, along with what is riding on every game, but that is why this Top 14 is the best in the world.”

The former British and Irish Lion and his family are loving life in France but he admits he dreams of a return to England because his desire is to grow old in Cornwall close to his loved ones.

Boss: Ronan O’Gara

Family

Family is significant to the two-time Premiership winner, as seen in his vlog, as much of his time outside rugby is dedicated to those he holds dearest.

This latest creative adventure from Nowell is one in which he wants to share with fans, giving them an insight into what the life of a professional rugby player is like, which he believes could help the further growth of the sport.

He said: “I want people to see the inside of rugby, as not many get that view, as they see us for 80 minutes and they see us for interviews.

“I want to show there is a bit more to us rugby players than just being professional sportsmen that are always switched on and give generic answers in the media.

“We are family members; I’m a dad and husband. I want to show that side a bit more. If I grow the game and get more involved, then that is my job done.”