Now Jack Nowell is brewing up a Six Nations treat

Inspirational wing Jack Nowell will be able to toast England‘s success with his own brand of beer if Eddie Jones‘s history-seeking side repeat last year’s Six Nations Grand Slam.
No side has managed successive Grand Slams in the Six Nations era, while England’s last back-to-back Five Nations’ sweeps came in 1991 and 1992 under manager Geoff Cooke.
The odds are against England, but defiant Cornishman Nowell, who recently launched Cousin Jack Bitter in conjunction with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and St Austell Brewery, told The Rugby Paper: “It’s not about the squad backing-up last year, it’s about us creating new stuff to win it again.
“There’s no point in just trying to defend your title and being negative, you’ve seen how well Ireland played in the summer and autumn so they’ll be the ones to beat again.
“It will be a huge test for England and our squad, but as long as we push each other on and off the field to get better, we can keep going in the right direction and keep winning.
“Eddie Jones has said we’ve got another 25 per cent in us and he watches every game week-in, week-out, so it’s a positive to hear that from him. It’s important that we have a good couple of weeks together now to finalise our plans before the Six Nations starts.”
Fit again Nowell, 23, is back in top form after a frustrating spell on the sidelines and is expected to be restored to England’s starting line-up for their opener against France.
He said: “It’ll be awesome to be back involved with England again. It was frustrating to miss the autumn series but injuries happen and I’ve used my absence as a positive.
“I’ve been able to rest up a bit so I’m really fit and fresh again ahead of the Six Nations and the rest of what is hopefully building towards a big end of season with Exeter.”
Nowell, the son of a Newlyn trawlerman, is delighted to have launched his new beer. He explained: “I’ve been working with St Austell Brewery for a while and Cousin Jack’s pretty special because some of the proceeds go to the RNLI charity, which is close to my heart.
“I haven’t had a chance to drink much yet because of all Exeter’s games and my England commitments, but my old man’s been drinking for two of us!”
Cousin Jack is described as having a ‘robust bitter finish’ as well as ‘depth, structure and integrity’ – all the hallmarks of a player tipped to tour with the Lions this summer.
Nowell said: “Honestly – and I’ve said this through my career – the main thing I concentrate on is playing well for Exeter, and if I do that I have a chance of playing for England.
“If I then play well for England I’ll give myself a chance of being picked for a Lions tour – but first things first, you’ve got to start with the basics, which is my club.”
Nowell believes Exeter are ready for a title charge, adding: “Wasps and Saracens have created a bit of a gap at the top, but we’re third and it’s all about us now.
“We’ve got ourselves into a great position and it will be our fault if we don’t keep improving and get another chance of claiming that title at Twickenham.”
NEALE HARVEY