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England wing Jack Nowell keen to improve his fitness under Eddie Jones

By PA Sport

Thursday 11 February 2016 08:45, UK

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Jack Nowell says England need to improve when they face Italy on Sunday. He has also been speaking about life under Eddie Jones' management

England wing Jack Nowell says he is keen to step up his fitness levels under new head coach Eddie Jones.

Although Jones believes the condition of his squad is adequate for the Six Nations, but must improve for next summer's tour of his native Australia.

The Exeter player has added 10kg in weight in recent years, but the move from 85kg to 95kg was added muscle bulk and followed knee surgery.

"I was training like old man," said Nowell, who missed the 2014 tour to New Zealand as a result of the operation.

"I'm a completely different player now. I'm bigger now. Anything can happen if get hands on the ball. (And I am) more confident in defence now."

Jones' vision of an England playing free-flowing rugby and keeping the ball in play may be at odds with his first match - a 15-9 win over Scotland in Edinburgh last Saturday - but suits Nowell, one of two England try-scorers at Murrayfield.

And Italy could be the first to feel the impact of Jones' tinkering.

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Jack Nowell and Eddie Jones pose with the Calcutta Cup following their team's victory during the match between Scotland and England
Image: Nowell and head coach Eddie Jones pose with the Calcutta Cup following their victory against Scotland

"I like the sound of that because I like to come off my wing and get my hands on the ball as much as possible," Nowell added.

"I want to get my hands on the ball as much as possible and if I am absolutely knackered I won't be able to do that.

"We have worked hard on our breakdown this week and getting that speed of ball."

However, Nowell also accepts the pragmatic approach favoured by Jones in Edinburgh last weekend.

"First things first is to win the game," Nowell said.

"If you said to me we scored four tries off a driving maul and I touched the ball once and we won the game, I'd take that any day of the week."

England head coach Eddie Jones keeps an eye on his players
Image: England head coach Eddie Jones keeps an eye on his players

A hint of the future was evident in Edinburgh when replacement prop Mako Vunipola's deft handling made space for Nowell's try.

"Mako's got a lot of skills," Nowell said. "Some of the passes he does in training are pretty ridiculous. It wasn't a surprise. He's a very skilful player.

"If we can get all our forwards doing that, that's going to put us backs in very positive positions going forward."

The England team announcement will be on Friday at 10am, tune into Sky Sports News HQ for full coverage.

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