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'Hopefully, it is no more than that' - Concern for Sam Simmonds after back row limps off after 'fantastic' performance
By PA
Exeter boss Rob Baxter hailed “a fantastic performance” by British and Irish Lions hopeful Sam Simmonds in Chiefs’ 20-12 victory over Gallagher Premiership leaders Bristol.
Chiefs number eight Simmonds made a towering case for Lions selection in front of Warren Gatland at Ashton Gate.
And Baxter said: “It was a fantastic performance from Sam. He had an absolute stormer.
“He looked so strong and so quick. It looks like he is going to take some handling as the weather dries up and pitches dry up. He is going to run with some abandon, I hope.”
Simmonds, overlooked by England boss Eddie Jones since 2018, drove second-placed Exeter home and helped end Bristol’s eight-match unbeaten Premiership run.
He suffered an early knock to his ankle but played for an hour in his final Lions audition before boss Gatland names the squad for South Africa on May 6, and it will be difficult to leave out the 26-year-old on this latest evidence.
Baxter added: “It is exactly what you have got to do. Games are running out before (Lions) selection happens, and you have got to maximise your opportunities.
“I thought most of our guys who are in with a shout for the Lions did all the good that they could do tonight.
“In terms of Sam’s ankle, it looks like he has just rolled it. He had a little bit of a sore ankle a couple of weeks ago, and it looks like he has re-rolled it. Hopefully, it is no more than that.”
By the time Simmonds went off, hobbling slightly, he had created Exeter’s second try for wing Tom O’Flaherty and did not put a foot wrong in attack or defence.
The Chiefs also claimed a Sam Skinner touchdown and Jacques Vermeulen try, with captain Joe Simmonds kicking a conversion and penalty.
Simmonds’ fellow England internationals Jack Nowell, Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie were not far behind him for work-rate as Exeter inflicted just a third league defeat of the season on Bristol.
“It was a good night for us,” Baxter said. “It was all about the league points. Bragging rights aren’t that important, it’s about league points.
“The only thing I am looking for at the moment is seeing a team that wants to fight for its title, and if I see that then I will be pleased.”
The home side conjured a fine Andy Uren try, but they had to wait until the 78th minute before breaching Exeter’s defence again when wing Luke Morahan crossed and Ioan Lloyd converted as Bristol saw their advantage at the top cut to eight points.
Bristol rugby director Pat Lam said: “It was a good game, but unfortunately we didn’t fire enough shots.
“They are a big team and we knew what was coming, and eventually it took its toll because we spent too much time on defence.
“They are a quality side. They are defending Premiership champions and European champions and they were at full strength tonight.
“They brought exactly what we thought and at times we handled it well, but it is difficult when we don’t get our stuff right.”
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John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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