Simmonds picks up monthly award

By Mark Stevens
10/12/20

The early season form of Exeter Chiefs No.8 Sam Simmonds has been rewarded after he was this week named the Gallagher Premiership Rugby player of the month for November 2020.


The England international, who last season was named the European Player of the Year, has enjoyed a stunning start to the new season, scoring six tries in his side’s first three matches, as well as helping the Chiefs make the perfect start to their 2020-21 title defence.

Up against a host of top-flight talent for the award, including his younger brother Joe, the 26-year-old forward has been singled out by BT Sport pundit, Ugo Monye, who said: “Sam has been absolutely phenomenal. He’s just not stopped; he’s continued from where he left off last season which is a credit to him and his team.

“It’s his consistent ability to forever be present in every single conversation whether it’s attacking, defending and being at the top of the pile that seems to be the environment in which Exeter Chiefs have created.

“For all the talk of hybrid players at the moment, I think it’s the case that Sam Simmonds is one of those guys. He does everything you expect from a traditional back-row player; defensively very strong, gets over the ball in the open field.

“There aren’t many better devastating runners in the Premiership than Sam Simmonds and I’m talking forwards or backs.”

This is the first time Simmonds, 26, has captured the player of the month award having seen his brother, Joe, receive the accolade in March 2018.

Monye picked out Simmonds’s try on the opening day of the season, which was named Famous Grouse Try of the Week adding: “The solo try he scored against Harlequins was incredible. The power and lines of running to spot a gap and then his pace to gas Nathan Earle to the try line, he’s a remarkable player and Exeter Chiefs are very fortunate to have him at their disposal at the moment while he’s unwanted at international level.”