England World Cup squad: Jack Nowell targets return for Italy clash

The Exeter wing, who is currently nursing an ankle injury, has been named in Eddie Jones’ 31-man squad for Japan 2019

Jack Nowell says he is continuing to push towards his goal of being available for England’s final World Cup warm-up game against Italy.

The Exeter wing has been named in head coach Eddie Jones’ 31-man squad for the tournament.

His selection comes barely two months after he suffered an ankle injury during Exeter’s Gallagher Premiership final loss to Saracens at Twickenham.

The 26-year-old, who has scored 13 tries during a 33-cap England career and toured New Zealand with the 2017 British and Irish Lions, subsequently underwent surgery.

Nowell is a key player in Jones’ plans and the signs remain good that he will be fit and in full training ahead of England’s departure to Japan next month.

England face Italy at St James’ Park in Newcastle on 6 September.

“Italy was the main goal for me at the start, and one I am still definitely pushing towards,” Nowell said.

“For me, it is a bit of a weird one. I’ve not been training with the boys or anything.

“I am feeling quite lucky to be involved, but I am very excited about it and hopefully I am only a few weeks away from actually training and stuff.

“I am recovering pretty well. At the start, maybe I pushed it a bit too hard.

“I popped back to the club for a week, saw the surgeon and just needed a week off my feet a bit, but that was probably down to myself being desperate to be back and be involved.

“I am just doing everything I can to get myself fit as soon as possible.”

PA