Nowell returns from injury for Exeter

11:09 AM GMT

• 

  Tom HamiltonRugby Editor

  Close

  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • Grew up in Bath but has New Zealand roots
  • Covered England's tour of New Zealand in 2014 and Australia in 2016
  • Was ESPN's man on the ground for the 2013 British & Irish Lions series and Rugby World Cup 2015

England's Jack Nowell is set to play his first rugby of the season after being named on Exeter's bench for Friday's match at Northampton Saints while George Kruis returns for Saracens.

Nowell, who has 18 Test caps, has been sidelined with a thumb injury but makes a timely return to action with England naming their Elite Player Squad on Friday ahead of the autumn Tests.

Ollie Devoto is back in Exeter's starting XV with Luke Cowan-Dickie and England hopeful Sam Hill dropping to the bench with the Chiefs making a total of five changes.

Northampton hand Calum Clark a start after he recovered from his shoulder injury while Saracens have England lock Kruis back for the first time this season but Alex Goode, Owen Farrell and Schalk Brits miss out through injury.

"Owen Farrell has a back problem, which we're continuing to monitor. It's really a day-by-day thing with Owen at the moment -- it's a bit of an open-ended injury which is always frustrating for the player and the club, but we won't risk him," Saracens boss Mark McCall said.

"Alex [Goode] and Schalk [Brits] picked up a knocks against Harlequins and they were both touch and go for tomorrow evening, but we have a long season ahead and they both miss out on this occasion.

"Sean Maitland has a knee injury and he is nearing return, whilst other guys such as Will Fraser (hip), Duncan Taylor (ankle) and Tim Streather (leg) are a bit further away from a return to action and we'll manage their return to play accordingly."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Nowell returns from injury for Exeter