Jack Nowell believes his England career is ‘over’ as he has no plans to return to the Premiership in future – with wing ‘absolutely loving’ it at French giants La Rochelle

Jack Nowell has said his chapter in English rugby is finished with the electric wing targeting a special season with French giants La Rochelle – one he hopes will end in double glory.

Nowell, who won 46 Test caps, is among a host of England internationals currently playing in France’s TOP14 alongside the likes of Owen Farrell, Jack Willis and Kyle Sinckler.

The wing joined La Rochelle for the start of the 2023-24 campaign after leaving Exeter – his boyhood club with whom he won the Gallagher Premiership and the Champions Cup.

Nowell is still only 31 but believes he is unlikely to return to England colours or even the Premiership as he plans to see out his career in Europe.

‘It’s a tough one. I still follow Exeter and England,’ he said. ‘But I feel like that chapter of my life is now over and finished and I’m happy with where I am in La Rochelle.

He left Exeter (left) for La Rochelle last term meaning he became ineligible for England (right)

‘I’m absolutely loving being out here. Everyone says it, but it’s a new challenge and that’s exactly what it is. It’s a different environment with different coaches.’

The RFU’s selection ruling means that players at French clubs are not eligible to be selected for Test rugby by national head coach Steve Borthwick.

Nowell’s first season with La Rochelle – who have twice been crowned champions of Europe – was interrupted by injury as his new team failed to win a trophy.

But the 2017 British & Irish Lions tourist believes better things are to come in 2024-25.

‘It’s my second year out here now and I feel a lot more comfortable,’ Nowell said.

‘My family is settled. My girls are a lot happier and in school. My wife is happy. We live in Ile de Re – one of the most beautiful places in the world and when we play good rugby, we can be absolutely on fire. I’m playing with some of the best players in the world on my team.

‘Now I’ve been here a year, I feel good and I feel we’re going to do some special stuff this season. This is a very special club in terms of what they achieved before I got here.

‘The majority of that squad is still here so a double is something that’s definitely achievable, 100 per cent. We’ve set ourselves the target this season of winning the TOP14 and the Champions Cup. That’s something we think we can do. We can still get better as a team.’

Nowell says La Rochelle’s targets this season are to win the TOP14 and the Champions Cup

La Rochelle are coached by former Ireland fly-half Ronan O’Gara and Nowell believes a new environment has benefited him both as a player and person.

He said: ‘There are a few tackles that go in here! I see my kids speaking French now. That’s amazing for me. They understand it and they’re pretty fluent now. It’s very cool.

‘They go to school and almost every day the sun is shining. I really enjoy going to work. I do follow the boys back at home, but I’m very happy with where I’m at right now.’