Exeter's verdict on how Jack Nowell is coping mentally 12 weeks into his latest long injury layoff
Exeter and England winger Jack Nowell is reportedly coping far better mentally with his latest lengthy injury layoff compared to previous long stints on the sidelines. So explained Rob Baxter, Nowell's coach at the double-winning Chiefs. Nowell was sent for surgery after playing through the pain barrier in the October showpiece finals versus Racing and Wasps, a toe ligament injury needing repair.
Nearly twelve weeks on from Nowell's last appearance, Baxter is expecting his winger to be back in action in no more than seven weeks' time, adding that his player is doing far better mentally with this layoff due to the certainty of his comeback date unlike with some previous injuries.
"He seems to be pretty sparky," reported Baxter. "This one is slightly different from some of the others in that there is probably a definite (end) point there for him. He knew when the operation was happening, knew potentially when his return would be.
"He is a very, very good rehabber. I understand what Jack says about it can be long processes and a long time spent on your own etc, long days of hard work. It can be tough but he is also a very professional rehabber and he always returns very well.
"If anything his most influential rugby is often when he does return from those difficult periods of being injured. We are very hopeful he will come back and be an important influence very quickly. If it is managed well on his return, it shouldn't be an injury that produces any long-term issues.
"If you think the fact he played in two finals with it just completely strapped up and the ligament not being there and now they have had a total repair, he will be good. Also, as with previous injuries, it drops in that extended time where he can work on the other little things that are there.
"They continue to need working on and monitoring around his knees, his ankles, his balance and stuff. We're fully expecting him to come back and fly for us." Going on the rehab timeframe recently voiced by Exeter, Nowell is now currently about four to seven weeks away from playing.
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Happy New Year Nick, and looking forward already to your 6N predictions…!
The Leinster changes are interesting for sure and almost certainly the result of scars from the maulings dished out by the French in CC finals. Interesting too though to see how they fare in the business end of the URC taking the Bok teams on at their own game. That certainly wasn’t the m.o. of the kiwi teams when they dominated the Boks, most of the time, in SR. The URC version of your Prem split probably leaves Glasgow sitting in a class of their own then, perhaps with Cardiff for company if they can sustain their level? Even then, Franco Smith has shown the benefit of developing hybrid skills, whichever camp a team is in, with the increase in Glasgows forward power and an impressive maul defence and attack that hadn’t existed before his arrival.
As for Ireland, they are beginning to demonstrate the extent to which they are going to struggle to sustain their position right at the peak of WR, and whilst they aren’t going to fall off any cliffs anytime soon, they ain’t going to be collecting too many grand slams and probably not even clear favourites to lift the 6N this year either. I don’t envy SE having to take the helm at a time of simultaneous transition in game plan and key players through the team, presuming of course that faz follows suit and tucks in behind Leinster…
Go to commentsYep, especially to say it when his opinions not even relevant. This is Fergus Burke's outlook were talking about, and to think having a player like Mo'unga infront of you is not somewhat intimidating is super naive.
I really hope Fergus has put himself in a position to show his full ability and game worth to Razor, and you never know, he could be the next person being hunted once Mo'unga returns
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