The last game was on *checks notes* March 8th, which feels like a lifetime ago. Ahead of this weekend's fixtures, we caught up with England and Exeter wing Jack Nowell.
Nowell's Exeter side currently top the table on 45 points, and will be looking to stave off any post-lockdown challenge from second-placed Sale.
Exeter have been back in training for a few weeks. While all the squad has turned up in good nick, Nowell says some have a had a better lockdown than others.
Speaking about Stuart Hogg, who looks as if he's gained several kilos of mass over lockdown, Nowell said:
"It's money mate - he's got a home gym and it's like David Lloyd in there.
"Only the Scottish boys have been invited around for some reason."
[caption id="attachment_246315" align="alignnone" width="2048"]Nowell looks for a pass during Exeter training. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)[/caption]
Nowell asserts that Exeter will not let their heads drop as the season resumes.
"We've worked extremely hard to get where we are. We're top of the Premiership - we've done a lot of hard work to get there, but we've been telling ourselves for a while now that it counts for nothing as we've still got so many games to play."
Liverpool's form slightly dipped as the Premier League resumed, but Nowell doesn't think there's much danger of similar happening to Exeter.
"Liverpool had done enough to already win their league so it didn't really matter.
"Anyone can still win the Premiership, so we are focused on getting the job done."
Aside from the club game, attentions are turning towards next year's Lions tour.
Nowell's return from the injury that ruled him out of the Guinness Six Nations puts him in contention for a spot, but there are also some previously untested players he thinks should get a chance.
"Stuart Hogg's never actually had a test for the Lions yet, but the way he's been performing for us is amazing."
[caption id="attachment_246316" align="alignnone" width="2048"]Nowell and Jonny May in England training. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)[/caption]
Jack Nowell's top three wingers in rugby
"I'd have to have Jonny May in there. Obviously he's part of the England setup with me, but the way he's been performing is unreal.
"Then two others that always perform are Jacob Stockdale (Ireland) and George North for Wales."
Although he isn't strictly a winger, one of Nowell's favourite pros to watch is All Blacks star Damian McKenzie.
"He's not the biggest of chaps but he's such a good footballer."
What Jack Nowell eats in a day
On a typical training day, Jack Nowell puts away around 5,000 calories with this diet plan:
Breakfast: Toast, avocado, spinach, eggs (poached or scrambled), bacon / sausage AND porridge to finish
Lunch: Chicken breast / steak, with rice / potatoes and green veg like broccoli or peas, and a salad
Dinner: More chicken or steak, but with limited carbs and more veg
Before bed: 20g of casein protein with 5g of creatine, glutamine and colostrum
The situation changes slightly on match days. It's more about liquid nutrition before a game.
"I don't want anything that's going to repeat on me during the game. There's nothing worse than that," Nowell said.
"I'll have a little bowl of porridge, maybe some pasta with tomato sauce."
Nowell says this diet is just what works for him. It might not be the case for others.
"Big Sam Hill that we used to play with, who is now at Sale - he'd eat a sandwich at half time. We'd all be having our half time team talk and he'd be having his chicken salad sandwich!"
To learn more about how elite athletes mentally and physically train, watch Jack’s full video on the Red Bull Pro Hub
Nowell looks for a pass during Exeter training. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)[/caption]
Nowell asserts that Exeter will not let their heads drop as the season resumes.
"We've worked extremely hard to get where we are. We're top of the Premiership - we've done a lot of hard work to get there, but we've been telling ourselves for a while now that it counts for nothing as we've still got so many games to play."
Liverpool's form slightly dipped as the Premier League resumed, but Nowell doesn't think there's much danger of similar happening to Exeter.
"Liverpool had done enough to already win their league so it didn't really matter.
"Anyone can still win the Premiership, so we are focused on getting the job done."
Aside from the club game, attentions are turning towards next year's Lions tour.
Nowell's return from the injury that ruled him out of the Guinness Six Nations puts him in contention for a spot, but there are also some previously untested players he thinks should get a chance.
"Stuart Hogg's never actually had a test for the Lions yet, but the way he's been performing for us is amazing."
[caption id="attachment_246316" align="alignnone" width="2048"]
Nowell and Jonny May in England training. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)[/caption]
