Jack Nowell hails ‘unbelievable appointment’ as Exeter Chiefs now have ‘nothing to lose’ after ‘bold call’
Jack Nowell has hailed the appointment of Rob Hunter at Exeter Chiefs.
Former England winger Jack Nowell has backed Rob Hunter to help revive Exeter Chiefs’ fortunes following his appointment as head coach.
Hunter joined Exeter 12 years ago as forwards coach, having previously been in charge of England’s U20 side that Nowell was a part of.
He has been made head coach after Ali Hepher was demoted last week in the light of the club’s worst season since being promoted to the Premiership in 2010.
Nowell made his name at Sandy Park before crossing the Channel and joining Top 14 outfit La Rochelle at the start of last season.
He will line up against in tomorrow’s Round of 16 Investec Champions Cup home clash against Munster but keeps a close eye on Exeter’s fortunes.
Unbelievable appointment
The 31-year-old Cornishman told Planet Rugby: “For a start, making Rob Hunter head coach is an unbelievable appointment by the club.
“I’ve known Rob since I was a kid when he was my England U20s coach for my first year.
“We had a pretty crazy group with boys like George Ford and Anthony Watson plus the boys from Exeter like Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie.
“Maro Itoje was in the year below me but we had a pretty phenomenal team with a lot of them obviously still playing now at a high level.
“When I learnt that Rob was joining Exeter in 2013, I thought it was brilliant because he’s such a good bloke.
“He knows his rugby, but the thing about Rob Hunter is that he’s got a good feeling about what the boys need and want.
“He’s a big family man in terms of events away from the club because creating a family environment certainly helps with performances on the field.
“I always think when someone is made head coach ‘Would I like to play for that person?’
“Yes, one hundred per cent I would like to play under Rob Hunter because I know he would give everything and ensure that you’re at your best for the weekend.”
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‘Everything he will do now will be for the best for Exeter’
Nowell won two Premiership titles and a Champions Cup crown during his time with Exeter, doing the double in 2020.
He also earned 46 international caps for England and played in two Tests for the British and Irish Lions in 2017.
Reflecting on Exeter’s dreadful 2024/25 campaign, Nowell said: “The club can’t get much lower than where they are at the moment.
“The only way is up for them and I know Rob Hunter believes he’s got nothing to lose.
“Everything he will do now will be for the best for Exeter.
“They had their honeymoon period last season; not a lot of people knew the players or what this Exeter were going to bring.
“But your second season is always a big one where the boys are used to playing with each other and they’re not honeymoon games anymore.
“It was a bold call and they’ve obviously got rid of a few coaches at Exeter over the last few years as well.
“But it’s a fresh start now and with what Rob Hunter is going to bring – obviously with the backing of Rob Baxter as well – the only way they can go is up.”