Simmonds set for final furlong

By Andrew Baldock
25/6/21

Sam Simmonds’ bags are packed for the British and Irish Lions tour – but they remain in storage ahead of another Gallagher Premiership title tilt.

The Exeter No.8 will fly to South Africa on Sunday as part of a 37-man Lions squad to tackle the world champion Springboks.

It is an ultimate reward for a breathtaking season that has seen Simmonds score a Premiership record 20 tries, be named player of the season and the Rugby Players’ Association players’ player of the year.

His immediate priority, though, is Exeter’s Premiership final appointment with Harlequins at Twickenham, where victory for the Chiefs would make it three domestic crowns in five seasons.

“I am really looking forward to it (the Lions tour),” Simmonds said. “I met up with the guys a month or so ago, and they were very friendly and very open. It was nice to get to chat to them all, nice to feel that buzz and that excitement.

“They have obviously had two weeks together and they are preparing for a game (against Japan) this weekend, but hopefully us boys at Chiefs can do a job this weekend and then slot straight in to Lions rugby, which is great.”

From the Premiership’s opening weekend seven months ago, when Simmonds scored a hat-trick of tries against Quins, he has maintained blistering form.

He broke the league’s try-scoring record jointly held by Dominic Chapman and Christian Wade, has gained 983 metres across the season, beaten a total of 60 defenders and made 224 tackles.

It has proved a virtuoso effort by the 26-year-old, and he has no intention of taking his foot off the accelerator when Exeter aim for back-to-back titles.

“The motivation is to win,” he added. “We have had years where we’ve had great seasons and not gone on to win, and great seasons when we have gone on to win.