I’d suffer the pain again for England says Jack Nowell 

Fearless Jack Nowell has revealed how he battled through the pain barrier to help England clinch June’s 3-0 series win over Australia.
Ultra-committed wing Nowell broke his right thumb during Exeter’s Premiership semi-final victory over Wasps, but turned out in the final against Saracens a week later before featuring in all three Tests against the Wallabies.
Delayed surgery means Nowell will miss the first few weeks of the season, but the proud Cornishman insists he has no regrets and says he would do it all over again if it means keeping hold of his beloved Red Rose jersey.
Nowell told The Rugby Paper: “My thumb was sore after the Wasps game but I’d been in a similar position before the New Zealand tour two years ago when I had a chance to have surgery on my knee and took it.
“But this time was different. It was the first time Chiefs had been in a Premiership final so there was no way I was going to miss that. And having missed a tour to New Zealand before, I wasn’t going to miss going to Australia either.
“It’s just one of those things where you have to strap the thumb up and as long as everything stays in place it shouldn’t hurt too much, but I did catch it a few times.
“But it was 100 per cent worthwhile, though, because that tour was fantastic.
“Hopefully the thumb won’t take too long. I’ve got a cast on at the moment while the bone fully heals and the ligaments reattach, but I’m still doing a lot of running and I want to be back out there as soon as possible.”
England’s forthright approach under Eddie Jones is epitomised by Nowell, who appreciates the trust the Aussie has placed in him.
“I’m very pleased with how it’s gone under Eddie,” he added. “The chance to play for England any time is a big honour and once you’ve got the shirt you’ll do anything not to give it up.”
After going so close last season, Chiefs have designs on the Premiership title as well as another run at the European Champions Cup.
Nowell said: “It was a special season but it felt like we didn’t actually achieve anything. We can’t just enjoy being in the Premiership anymore, we want to start coming away with silverware now. We belong on the big stage so now we want to fill that garden shed with trophies.”
NEALE HARVEY