Simmonds looks to build on French win
By Mark Stevens
20/11/19
Joe Simmonds says he is excited at what Exeter can achieve in Europe this season, having helped the Chiefs kick-off their latest Heineken Champions Cup campaign with a bonus point victory in France.
The young fly-half played an instrumental role in helping Rob Baxter’s side to a hugely impressive 31-12 win over La Rochelle at the Stade Marcel Deflandre.
Not only did he add the extras to Exeter’s four tries from Dave Dennis, Tom O’Flaherty, Henry Slade and older brother Sam, but he also slotted a routine second half penalty to seal a comprehensive victory for the visitors.
Now, the 22-year-old will once again be entrusted with overseeing the Exeter attack in Saturday’s latest Champions Cup assignment against visiting Glasgow Warriors at Sandy Park (3:15pm).
The Scotsmen will arrive in deepest Devon also in buoyant mood, having themselves started their Pool 2 campaign with a 13-7 victory over Sale Sharks.
Simmonds is aware of the threat posed by Dave Rennie’s side, but insists he and his team-mates must use their victory a week ago as the springboard to kick on in European Rugby’s top club competition.
“To go over to France and put in a performance like we did was brilliant,” he said. “It’s a great start for us and we need to use it to push on for Glasgow at the weekend.
“This week is massive for us and as a group we’re really excited at where this season can go. Over the years we’ve not quite clicked when it’s come to Europe, but performances like we had against La Rochelle are what we’re about and we need to build on that.”
With the Chiefs pack in dominant form against their French rivals, it meant Simmonds and his fellow backs were given the perfect platform from which to exploit their talents.
“When the forwards are on the front foot like they were, it definitely makes life easy for the backs,” added Simmonds. “Yes, we rode our luck a little bit at times, but for much of the game we were on the front foot and we took our opportunities when they came.”
Saturday’s win against La Rochelle helped provide a swift return to winning ways for the Chiefs, who the week previous had come unstuck at the death against local rivals Bristol Bears in the Gallagher Premiership.
“I think what the La Rochelle result showed was that as a group we can move on quickly,” continued Simmonds. “We tend not to get carried away when we win or when we lose. The important thing was that we regrouped well and that we were able to put in a big performance like that.”
More of the same will be craved this weekend against a Warriors outfit, who this week have confirmed Head Coach Dave Rennie is to depart at the end of the season to take charge of Australia.
The New Zealander, who has been in charge for three years, will be replaced by current Scotland forwards coach Danny Wilson.