Chiefs star on the rise
By Mark Stevens
23/5/18
This time last year older brother Sam was the toast of Sandy Park, his last-gasp score in a semi-final victory over Saracens elevating him to cult status amongst the growing tribe of Exeter Chiefs supporters.
Twelve months down the line, it's Joe Simmonds help create the headlines as the reigning Aviva Premiership champions advanced into a third successive final appearance with victory over Newcastle Falcons at the weekend.
The young playmaker - not for the first time this season - put in a majestic display that belies his tender years. His 19-point haul in Saturday's 36-5 success was yet another glowing endorsement of his rising stock.
Like Sam, the 21-year-old has seemingly seized his opportunity to shine with both hands. Entrusted with the coveted No.10 shirt ahead of Gareth Steenson, the club's record points-scorer, Simmonds did not disappoint as he marshalled his team-mates past the Falcons and onto Twickenham this Saturday.
Simmonds will now hope to lead the Chiefs charge against the Londoners, who themselves booked their place in English rugby's showpiece event with an impressive home win over Wasps at Allianz Park.
Having soaked up the big-game atmosphere as a travelling reserve in last season's final, Simmonds has made no secret of the fact that he would dearly love to mastermind the Chiefs grand plan in the capital.
"Last year I was one of the travelling reserves, so it's a bit crazy to think that next week I could hopefully be involved in the final," said Simmonds. "I've never played at Twickenham before."
But whilst Simmonds junior has yet to survey the hallowed turf at close hand, brother Sam has already trampled his way around pretty much every inch of the place, both for club and country.
Watching Sam - who last week was named the Land Rover Discovery of the Season at the annual Premiership Rugby Awards - take his game to new heights has made Joe himself look to follow suit.
"It definitely pushed me on," he said. "Sam has played for England as well and I want to too. He has played so well and got the rewards for it. I want to do the same and not get left behind."
With both brothers expected to play their part for the Chiefs in their title defence, it should make for a real family affair at HQ.
"My dad and stepmum have just gone away for three months. They are in Spain at the moment, so they'll have to book flights back home now!" joked the younger brother.
However, it will not just be family that will book tickets to see Simmonds in action now. Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter, who has trusted Joe to start in six of the last seven league games, said: "A mark of how impressed we've been with him is that we selected him in the semi-final. This was a big game not just for Joe but a huge game for this rugby club to get to another final.
"On form, he's holding his place and his performances are meriting him being there."
Should the Simmonds brothers start, it will be another indication of how Baxter has taken last season's victors and transformed them yet further. Sure, there are plenty who still remain in place from that side which saw off Wasps after extra-time, but a quick glance at last weekend's starting line-up showed just four starters from last May's final.
“In most clubs if you said there would be 11 players missing from a Premiership-winning team they would be in panic,” Baxter said. “They’d think the world had fallen down around their ears. So yes, we can say we’ve experienced getting to finals but also we’re trying to create a team that wants to go out and win it again. The crucial thing year-on-year is to build your next team and not try to cling on to the glories of another past time.”
Wise words from the Exeter supremo, who will be hoping his young side can become only the fourth club ever to secure back-to-back league crowns.