Exeter Chiefs confirm Jack Nowell will be out of action for eight weeks

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has confirmed that England international Jack Nowell will be sidelined for up to eight weeks following a hamstring injury.

The 25-year-old picked up the injury during training at England’s training base at Pennyhill Park that forced him to miss the final autumn international Test against Australia at Twickenham last weekend.

“Jack’s got a pretty significant hamstring tear,” said Baxter about Nowell, who featured in England's Test matches against South Africa, New Zealand and Japan.

“It’s one of those injuries which is likely to be around the eight-week mark, give or take a week depending on how his rehab goes. Ironically, he should be back in time to fight for a place in the Six Nations!”

The loss of Nowell will be a big blow for Exeter considering they have back to back European Champions Cup games against Premiership rivals Gloucester Rugby lined up on 8th and 14th December. However, Baxter is relieved that apart from Nowell other international stars have returned in good shape.

As you’d expect after four tough rounds of international rugby, the guys are a bit bumped and bruised,” explained Baxter.“There are also elements of mental and physical fatigue which we will have to manage, but overall they are in pretty good shape.

“At the same time, a few of our other injured players are nearing returns to playing.Olly Woodburn, Jonny Hill, Luke Cowan-Dickie, they are all making good progress, while Sam Simmonds is now a couple of months into his rehab on his ACL injury, so it’s nice that as time goes by we are still winning games of rugby.

“That certainly means we can deal with things on a more positive footing moving forward.”

With eight wins from as many games, Exeter continue to top the Gallagher Premiership and will face Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop next on 1st December.