Eddie Jones advised Jack Nowell to reduce weight

England international Jack Nowell has been advised to lose weight by head coach Eddie Jones as he aims to make a comeback a fractured eye socket.

Nowell went on to gain weight during his rehabilitation period and was forced to remain immobile for all but 10 minutes of the day in order to keep his blood pressure stable as clots gathered behind his eyes. In the process, the 24-year-old underwent a surgery on his eye and was sidelined for the autumn internationals.

“I had to sit on a sofa for five weeks. You’re not even allowed to walk your dog in case you raise your blood pressure. The most I could do was walk to my bed,” he said.

“I’ve got two dogs – both little pains in the ass. Looking at it now, five weeks sat down after a long season was probably very good for my career in the long run.

“But at the time it was a horrible place to be, sitting back watching the internationals.

“I then had to have another operation because of the blood clots I was having behind my eye. It was all about staying still. I’m happy it’s over.”

Nowell’s weight increased to 102kgs in the absence of any physical activity but he has since shed 4kgs and was recalled for England's Six Nations wins over Italy and Wales.

“Eddie kept telling me: ‘You’re looking big, you’re looking big’. I’d put on weight and it probably wasn’t good weight,” he said.

“Over the last couple of weeks he’s been telling me that I’m looking leaner, so I’m on the right track.

“I had to watch what I was eating during that period. I do that anyway, but it’s hard when you are stuck on a sofa.

“I wasn’t running, I wasn’t doing anything. If you’re a player that likes his food but also does a lot of running, things balance themselves out.

“But I was on the sofa with my feet up watching series and playing Playstation. That meant I had to work extremely hard when I got back.”

Nowell has found his niche as one of Jones’ ‘finishers’, his ability to step off the bench and make inroads with every carry giving England renewed momentum when games enter their critical phase.

“I remember going into the game against Wales last year with Eddie saying to me: ‘you’re not a back, you’re going into this game as a back-rower’,” he said.

“’You’re helping out the forwards, coming around the corner with them and getting your hands on the ball as much as possible’. It’s the same again this year.

“When I came on against Italy, I had one very clear message from Eddie – get your hands on the ball as much as possible. Off nine, off 10 – it doesn’t matter.

“To hear that as your main task going onto the field is a green light to get on and play with a smile on your face.”

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