SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 7 hrs 5 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Toulouse

Jack Nowell sets sights on domestic and European double with Exeter

:Headline: Jack Nowell sets sights on domestic and European double with Exeter: ID:415937: from db_amp
They face Toulouse this weekend.

Jack Nowell has underlined Exeter's burning desire to conquer English and European rugby this season by landing a spectacular trophy double.

The Chiefs will be in uncharted territory on Saturday, making a Heineken Champions Cup semi-final debut when they host French heavyweights Toulouse.

Exeter are also through to next month's Gallagher Premiership play-offs as top seeds, keeping them on course for a possible silverware bonanza.

Nowell and Exeter have a big weekend ahead (Nick Potts/PA)

Only three other English clubs – Leicester, Wasps and Saracens – have achieved such a feat, but Exeter, who were in the second-tier Championship 10 years ago, are now hunting both prizes.

"We obviously don't want to get too ahead of ourselves, but it's something we really want," Exeter and England wing Nowell said.

"We have been working extremely hard, and now is the time to start enjoying these big games. We've got a lot of experience over the last few years of playing in them.

"It's cool being in the Premiership, but we want to start winning stuff playing in these big games. We want to be in European quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals."

Exeter featured in the last four Premiership finals at Twickenham, and Nowell added: "A taste of those finals has only added to that. Exeter boys being greedy, we want a bit more.

"The next step for us is the Champions Cup, and we are in a very good position this year. A couple more hurdles to go."

Nowell thought he would end up fishing rather than the big time (Adam Davy/PA)

Cornishman Nowell was just 17 and on Redruth's books when Exeter were promoted to English rugby's top flight in 2010.

But he soon became a Chiefs player and proved instrumental behind Exeter's rise to the Premiership title three years ago and becoming Twickenham regulars.

"If you had said to me back then – 17 and still at college – that I would be in a European Cup semi-final at Sandy Park against Toulouse, it would have been surreal," he added.

"I wouldn't have believed you. I thought I would have been on a trawler, fishing with my old man."

Exeter's previous European campaigns have produced a solitary quarter-final appearance – against Wasps in 2016 – which gives this weekend added significance.

Nowell said: "We've always let ourselves down in this competition.

"You need to win every game, you can't rely on other people and you can't rely on other results to go your way.

"That's what we have done well this season. We haven't actually changed anything in terms of our mentality and how we attack the games. Results have gone our way a little bit."

The coronavirus pandemic and current restrictions mean a behind-closed-doors setting at Sandy Park on Saturday, but it should not affect the quality of an eagerly-awaited clash between two in-form teams.

Nowell knows how difficult this weekend promises to be (Nick Potts/PA)

And among individual battles littered across the pitch, none is more eye-catching than Nowell's with Toulouse try machine and South African World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe.

"He is obviously going to be a handful," Nowell added.

"We've spoken about him, and we are going to have to look out for him on the field, soak up what he has got to give, but also try to fire a few shots ourselves.

"He is not the biggest of guys, but he is extremely quick and strong for his size. You can't give him space, because that is when he's at his best."

amp_article__415937 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-09-25 21:13:04:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 12:27:37 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Jack Nowell

Click here for more stories about Toulouse

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .