Simmonds gets Royal Seal of Approval
By Mark Stevens
22/10/21
It’s already been a week to remember for Joe Simmonds, but now the Exeter Chiefs playmaker is looking to put the icing on the cake by helping his side to victory over London Irish in the Gallagher Premiership today.
Fresh from helping the Chiefs secure victory at Wasps last weekend, the 24-year-old was soon heading back up the motorway, this time to Windsor Castle for his very own Royal Appointment.
Awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours last December, Simmonds was this week suited and booted for the presentation of his award by none other than His Royal Highness Prince Charles.
It was – in Simmonds’ own words – an ‘unbelievable day’ – an occasion which he admits will live long in the memory.
“It was unbelievable, a brilliant experience,” he said. “It was last December when I got told about the MBE, so I’ve had a while to wait and let in sink in. It was, however, a great day, not just for myself, but for my family and my missus absolutely loved it.
“Meeting with Princess Charles was very special, he asked about my rugby and a few other things, but even now I’m still trying to take it all in. It’s not every day you get to meet a member of the Royal Family and I still can’t believe I have an MBE.”
Sure to take pride of his place somewhere at home, Simmonds admits he’s more than happy for his new accolade to be kept on the back burner amongst his team-mates, who he says have continued their relentless banter in recent times.
“They are always coming after me about it,” he added. “Obviously, it’s a huge honour for me, but for now I won’t be putting the letters out on social media or anything like that!”
Instead, Simmonds can focus his attentions to today’s game, which in itself will represent another happy milestone for the gifted fly-half, who is set to become the latest inductee into the club’s elite list of prized centurions.
“My goal when I joined the club was to play one game and here I am all set to run out for my 100th game for the club,” he continued. “Again, it’s a proud moment – not just for myself, but for my family as well. They’ll be here at the weekend – and Sam will be playing too – so it’s going to be another special occasion.
“To get my name on the list of centurions at the club is a great achievement. When you look at some of the names who are on there, they are real legends of the club and it’s nice to be put in the same bracket at those guys.”
Simmonds, though, is fiercely determined and he insists he doesn’t want his latest big day against the Exiles to be tinged with an air of defeat.
“First and foremost, it’s about us performing at the weekend,” he said. “What has happened this week is great, but just as important is myself and the team playing well. We’ve got well these last few weeks, but it’s a case of us keeping that going.
“We know London Irish are a good side and they’ve got quality running throughout their squad. You only have to look at how they have been playing this season to know it’s going to be another big test for us. They’ll probably say they’ve been unlucky in a few games, not getting the result they want, but they have been there or thereabouts in a lot of them.
“As I said, we can’t afford to take them lightly and we’ll need to be on our game for the whole 80 minutes, especially if we want to get what we want from the game.”
Simmonds is one of a number of changes that Rob Baxter has made to his starting line-up for today’s game. However, it’s a welcome return to the fold for the young back who has been used off the bench in recent weeks.
“I started the season, but if I am honest, the first two games weren’t how I – or the team – wanted things to go,” he added. “We weren’t playing great and not hitting the standards we know we are capable of. Not starting the last three weeks, it’s giving me time to think about my game and almost go back to basics. I’ve done that and I am enjoying my rugby a lot more because of it.”
In his absence, fellow back Harvey Skinner has stepped impressively into the No.10 jersey, producing a string of impressive displays.
“Myself and Harvey are of a similar age and we’ve come through the ranks together quite a bit,” he said. “We know a lot about each other and how one another plays, but it’s been good to see him step up and show what he can do as well. For both of us, it’s good for our overall development that we have one another challenging and push the other to be better.
“For sure, it’s definitely made me step my game up, both in training and in matches, and now I want to take that on further.”