Rugby World Cup 2019: Jack Nowell has surgery to have appendix removed in setback to injury recovery
Wing has not played any of England’s warm-up matches and is facing a race against time to prove his fitness for Japan 2019
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Your support makes all the difference.Jack Nowell has suffered fresh setback in his bid to be fit for the Rugby World Cup after being forced to have his appendix removed during England’s training camp in Italy.
Nowell has not played any rugby since the Premiership final on 1 June and is yet to return to full training, despite being named in the final 31-man squad to go to Japan by head coach Eddie Jones.
The wing was admitted to hospital for four nights after complaining of pain on his arrival in Treviso last Wednesday, and he underwent surgery the same night to remove his appendix.
The Exeter Chiefs back remained in hospital until Sunday, when he was released to continue his recovery with the rest of the squad.
"Jack was sick,” said England defence coach John Mitchell. “He had appendicitis and came out of hospital yesterday. He's nice and hungry! He's in good spirits and is back running.
"His general ankle progression is in line with where he needs to be. He's right on target for us. I don't know how much weight he's lost but he looks lean."
Nowell continues to recover from ankle ligament surgery and as a result will not be a part of the squad that faces Italy this Friday in England’s final World Cup warm-up match, leaving him in a race against time to be fit for their opening pool game against Tonga on 22 September.
England will also be without Mako Vunipola for the clash Italy at Newcastle’s St James’ Park, with the loosehead prop still around a week away from recovering from the hamstring setback he suffered in the victory over Ireland.
Henry Slade is also set to miss out on the match unless he can prove his fitness in Tuesday’s main training session, having already sat out all three of England’s warm-up matches with a knee injury.
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