Jack Nowell It fell outside of England’s pre-World Cup plans. France late this year.
Nowell, currently knee-injured, looks set to join the European champions La Rochelle ahead of next season.
And, 30-year-old Nowell effectively ended his 46th jersey by deciding to take himself outside of the marquee. England career.
The UK’s current selection policy states that players who conduct their trade overseas are not considered for the Test mission.
“I do not participate in the World Cup, there is no World Cup. I’m just going to calm down and straighten my knee, Nowell told the RugbyPass Offload podcast.
“It was a difficult decision not to nominate myself for the World Cup, but I thought it was probably a decision I had to make for myself and my family as well.
“We’re going to enjoy being back home in Cornwall, we’ll probably spend the next few weeks there and we have a reference tournament at Sandy Park on 3 June.
I decided it was probably best for me and my family to sign a contract before the World Cup.
Jack Nowell
“(England head coach Steve Borthwick) I was in contact with the ‘Borthers’ and they informed me that I would not be included in the Six Nations, which was perfectly fair. New teacher, new ideas.
“I was happy with it, it was my last year at the club (Exeter), so I really have to focus on doing my best for the club and getting us to the big games at the end of the season.
“When you sign abroad, you have the option of signing before or after the World Cup. I decided it was probably best for me and my family to sign a pre-World Cup contract.”
During the Six Nations, Borthwick turned to players like Anthony Watson, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Henry Arundell and fled into a highly competitive arena.
Nowell added: “I’m sure it would have been a little different if I had talked to Steve all the time and talked to him ever since to tell him my decision.
“I think I was in his World Cup plans, especially for first dates as a big team, but I decided not to do that and let my family move to France and I move to France.
“As much as I want to do this (World Cup) and give it a good chance, sometimes you have to read between the lines and realize that you’re probably not in the coach’s favor.
“Don’t get me wrong, I would love to fight for my position and start playing myself again, but family comes first for me.”
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