Simmonds has double vision
By Mark Stevens
28/9/20
Joe Simmonds says there will be no let-up from the Exeter Chiefs as they target glory on two fronts over the next month.
Rob Baxter’s side have their sights firmly focused on not only claiming a second Gallagher Premiership title, but also a first-ever Heineken Champions Cup crown, after they saw off French visitors Toulouse 28-18 at Sandy Park.
Fly-half Simmonds was at the heart of Saturday’s European success, scoring the last of their four tries, as well as plundering the conversions to his own score and that of Harry Williams (2) and older brother, Sam.
That triumph means the Chiefs will now tackle more French opposition, Racing 92, in a mouth-watering final match-up, which will be staged at Bristol’s Ashton Gate on October 17.
But as 23-year-old Simmonds spelt out post-game at the weekend, getting to finals is only the first part of the job for the Chiefs, the next is replicating their fine form since restart and lifting the trophy.
“We want to win every trophy we compete for,” said Simmonds. “That is the great thing about this team, we are so passionate to win trophies. We’ve had a few hurts in the last couple of years, losing finals, but we showed with the performance out there that everyone is hungry. It was brilliant.
“We are really excited. We’ve never been in this position before, and it is a massive opportunity for not just the players, but the club and Exeter as a city as well. When it comes to it, we will be raring to go.”
It’s ten years since Rob Baxter’s side got promoted out of the Championship and into English rugby’s top tier, but their staggering rise is there for all to see - and glory on two fronts this season will underline British rugby’s most spectacular success stories.
Indeed, greatness beckons if they can land both major trophies, emulating the feats of Leicester, Wasps and Saracens during rugby union’s 25-year professional era.
“What was I doing 10 years ago? I think I watched one of the (Championship play-off) games here, and just probably looking up to people like ‘Steeno’ (his fellow Exeter fly-half Gareth Steenson),” Simmonds added.
“I loved the game, I loved watching rugby. To be here now is crazy. I saw a tweet saying there’s eight or 10 players in the (match-day) 23 that have come through the academy.
“The way the coaches read the players is brilliant, and for me to captain such a great team is brilliant. I have so many leaders out there, it helps my job.
“We are looking only an hour-and-a-half up the road for the final. We’ve got to take it as a home game for us. We are really excited for it, but we’ve still got two Premiership games to go and the semi-final. We’ve just got to look forward and enjoy what we are doing. To have this opportunity to play in such big games, we will relish it.
“We’ve got internationals pretty much everywhere now. We identified the key threats Toulouse would bring, then it was about putting our game on them. We scored 28 points against a very good Toulouse team, so we feel we can score points against anyone.”
While Joe scored 13 of Exeter’s points, his older brother – England international back-row forward Sam – also claimed a try as they both once again underlined their priceless value to the Chiefs’ product.
“He does alright!” Joe said. “I wouldn’t say it to his face, but yeah he does well and he gets the team going forward. It’s nice having him in the team. We never really talk about it too much, but when we finish playing and look back it’s going to be a proud moment for both of us. For now though, we’ve got to just keep playing well week in, week out.”