England will open their Six Nations campaign against Italy on Sunday (3pm) with the goal of sending a message to the rest of the teams about the seriousness of their intentions.
Eddie Jones’ men will start the tournament as favourites to secure a third straight triumph by the end of March, having lost just once since the Australian took over after the 2015 Rugby World Cup debacle.
However, Jones continues to throw curveballs with his selection, listing Exeter Chiefs winger as an “inside back” on his squad list to spark speculation that he could appear in the midfield.
But Tindall, who made every single one of his 75 England appearances in the centres including during the 2003 RWC triumph, believes Jones should let Nowell stick to what he knows best.
“He’s played [at centre] a few times for Exeter but not for a while now,” Tindall told Express Sport.
“I’m never a fan of moving people around out of their specialised position, especially when you’ve got players in the squad who can do a job: you’ve still got [Owen] Farrell and [George] Ford, Jamie Joseph and Ben Te’o too.
“There are other players there before they start looking at Jack to do that job.”
Nowell already has 25 caps to his name, occasionally filling in at centre but making his name as a winger who hits harder 5ft 11in frame would suggest.
And Tindall thinks he is the perfect counterpunch to England’s other speedsters such as Mike Brown, Anthony Watson and Johnny May
“I love him as a player on the wing,” Tindall added.
“For the balance of the back three, he’s perfect. He’s hard-working, he wants the ball in his hands, he’s a great off-loader and he’s a good footballer.
“I was never really that keen when they moved Elliot Daly out to the wing, I really liked him at 13, so it works both ways. Sometimes I don’t like 13s being pushed out to the wing, again especially when you look at the wingers they’ve got like Semesa Rokodoguni, Watson, Matt Banahan when he was playing well, and May.
“You’ve got all these players to choose between I wonder why they move people around.
“I’m sure he can do a job but it’s a very big ask, having not played there for a long time, to try and throw him in that mix. I’m not sure it’s the best way.
“I’d prefer to give someone a chance who is playing well there week in, week out.”
***Join 2003 Rugby World Cup heroes Mike Tindall, Will Greenwood and Neil Back at the award winning Wolf Run obstacle challenge in East Sussex on 28th April. Get your pack together with the buy four get one FREE offer at www.thewolfrun.com***
