After a spell of injury and disappointments, Jack Nowell took the decision to stop drinking during the rugby season and saw a positive impact on his performances.
The 4CAST athlete credits cutting out alcohol with a 10kg drop in his weight, which made him lighter, sharper and - in the word's of then England boss Eddie Jones - saw him get his "bounce" back.
Rugby is known to have a drinking culture, even in the highest reaches of the professional game, so Nowell's decision to abstain was seen as noteworthy at the time. It's even more impressive as he owns his local pub, the Swordfish Inn in Newlyn, Cornwall.
“I have stopped drinking," he told the Exeter Chiefs website in 2021. "I am not saying I was a big drinker or anything, but rugby players, and especially our team, we enjoy going out for a few beers after each game, and sometimes that leads on to going into town and early mornings.
“I have completely cut that out. I felt it was just letting me down a little bit. With (game) recovery on a Monday and a Tuesday, it was taking me longer and I am getting a bit older as well.
“It’s not just down to that. Obviously, dropping 10 kilos has been big for me as well and the way the team manage me during the week."
