Simmonds ready to grasp his big chance
By Mark Stevens
5/7/21
Sam Simmonds is ready to roar into action for the British & Irish Lions on Wednesday night after he was named in their starting line-up to face the Cell C Sharks at Emirates Airline Park (6pm).
The Exeter Chiefs star was used as a second half replacement during Saturday’s 56-14 victory over the Sigma Lions – but now he and club-mate Luke Cowan-Dickie will be unleashed from the outset for this latest encounter in Johannesburg.
It’s an opportunity the 26-year-old has been dreaming of, ever since he was confirmed in Warren Gatland’s 37-man squad back in early May.
His tour inclusion, however, is rich reward for another stellar campaign for the all-action No.8, who followed up his double-winning exploits with the Chiefs in 2019/20, by going on to create history himself this past season, smashing the Premiership Rugby try-scoring record and being crowned the top flight’s and Rugby Players’ Association’s Player of the Year.
For over two years the flame-haired forward has been a stand-out performer, not just here in England, but also across Europe as well. His on-field displays have been lauded by greats of the game across the globe, yet England head coach Eddie Jones has refused to bow to pressure and include him in his plans with the national squad.
Not since March 2018 has Simmonds pulled on the famous Red Rose jersey. His seven caps for England seem a distinctly paltry figure given his numerous dazzling displays for the Chiefs. But whilst Jones remains unmoved at this time over his undoubted qualities, Lions head coach Gatland clearly likes what he sees in the Torquay-born star.
Gatland – who is taking charge of his third tour with the Lions – believes Simmonds can bring a point of difference to his side’s pack, particularly given his remarkable speed; his fast feet and, more importantly, his ability to get himself over the try-line.
On Wednesday night, Simmonds will get his first real opportunity to prove his worth, starting in a Lions side packed with household names from the four Home Nations.
“It was great to get the win and it was nice to get off the bench but starting is different and to be involved in a starting XV would be amazing,” said Simmonds, who scored 21 tries in the Premiership last season.
“When you are starting you really get the opportunity to show what you can do and hopefully put what I have been doing in the last year or so into a Lions jersey.
“As soon as I got selected for the Lions squad that was my sole focus – to push everyone here, to push to try and get as many games as I can and as a team the ultimate goal is to win the Test series in South Africa.
“Since being selected, that's what you've been waiting for, to be able to pull on the shirt and represent the Lions and just be amongst it with all the history and the players that have been before you."
Question marks have been asked whether Simmonds, who is just over 6ft tall and weighs 16st, has the necessary physique required to go toe-to-toe with the heavyweight Springbok pack.
But Gatland’s backing for him has given the confidence to play his own all-court game against the Sharks at Ellis Park.
"Gats has pretty much said: ‘Go out and just do what you have been doing,’ Simmonds added. “It is not quite a free licence, but he has told me to unshackle myself and go and prove why they picked me and why I'm in the squad.
“They are the ones who have given me this opportunity. It's up to me then to put my game on the opposition. Training has been like that. It has been short and sharp. It allows you to get into the game straight away.
“It is tough here at altitude so it's good to keep the sessions quite short. But bodes well for games. I don’t think I’ve met one South African who isn’t physical. Playing with Jacques Vermeulen and Jannes Kirsten, that is what their game is built around – physicality. They gave me some tips on coming down here to their country. It was a physical game on Saturday. Their forwards stood up and we managed to score a lot of points out wide.
“There are plenty of things for us to work on, which is always good after a first game. But yeah, I'm looking forward to the physicality and the challenge on Wednesday.”