Heartbreaking to happy - Nowell on life in France

La Rochelle's Jack Nowell toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions in 2017

European Champions Cup: Bath v La Rochelle

Venue: The Rec, Bath Date: Friday, 6 December Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Bath and BBC Sounds, follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.

Former England wing Jack Nowell says he is loving life with La Rochelle after overcoming "heartbreaking" family resettlement issues.

Nowell impressed in his debut season with the top-flight French side after leaving boyhood club Exeter Chiefs in the summer of 2023, but the 31-year-old father-of-three says life off the field was initially difficult.

"Rugby is the easy bit," Nowell told BBC Rugby Union Weekly. "The boys made me feel very welcome, I learned the moves and started playing.

"The family side of it was more difficult, putting the kids into a French school.

"Them coming home and saying 'no one speaks to me', 'the teacher doesn't understand me', and 'I don't want to go to school'.

"It was heartbreaking at times.

"Everyone at the club was so supportive, telling me to ride it out for a few months and saying that something will switch before they start loving it, which is what has happened and it's been brilliant.

"The rugby was easy and I loved it straight away but now the family are happy it's really good."

Nowell and his family are now enjoying life on the west coast of France so much, the wing has extended his stay with the two-time Champions Cup winners until 2027, when he will be 34.

"I feel like I have been bought in by this team now and I enjoy playing for them," added Nowell.

"Last year, I played the most amount of minutes in games that I have in my whole career.

"My body is feeling good and maybe the heat makes a difference."

'I'm expecting a bit of chat from the fans'

La Rochelle begin this season's European campaign against Premiership side Bath at the Rec on Friday and Nowell is relishing his return to English shores.

"Every game playing against English sides means a lot for me," said Nowell.

"I know a lot of the Bath boys and hopefully I will have a lot of family there as well."

Nowell, who has won 46 England caps but is no longer eligible to represent the national team because of the Rugby Football Union's restrictions on overseas players, says he is not expecting any fanfare from the Bath faithful, however.

"Growing up, Bath were a side we could never beat at Exeter so they became a bit of a bogey team. I still remember the first time we beat them," said Nowell.

"The Rec is a tough place to play, especially with how Bath are playing at the moment.

"They are a good side and it will be a test for us. If you allow them to play the rugby they want to play the fans will get behind them.

"I'm certainly going to understand a lot more chat from the fans [than when playing in France].

"The stands are so close to the pitch so when there is a stoppage in play you can hear the conversations and I'm expecting a bit of chat."