A blow for the XV of the Rose. The versatile English three-quarter Jake Nowell (30 years old, 46 caps) announced in a podcast on the Rugby Pass site that he is giving up participating in the next World Cup in France. The player, who has so far only played for the Exeter Chiefs, will wear the colors of Stade Rochelais, the reigning double European champion, next season.
The English international has argued that he wants to join Charente-Maritime in July rather than trying to snatch a ticket for the World Cup. Since the appointment of Steve Borthwick at the head of England, he has not been summoned. His last match with the vice-world champions dates back to November, in a defeat against South Africa (13-27).