ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Wednesday May 19, 2021

England discard Sam Simmonds thanks team-mates for helping him beat Premiership record

Sam Simmonds credited his Exeter team-mates for propelling him into the Gallagher Premiership history books in a 31-12 victory over London Irish at the Brentford Community Stadium.

ADVERTISEMENT

Simmonds ran-in a hat-trick to become the top-flight’s leading try scorer in a single season, eclipsing the mark of 17 jointly held by Dominic Chapman and Christian Wade that has stood since the 1997-98 campaign.

The Chiefs number eight reached the milestone with three rounds of the regular season still to play as England head coach Eddie Jones watched from the stands.

While Jones has not capped Simmonds since 2018, the 26-year-old has been selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa this summer.

Simmonds told BT Sport: “It means a lot to me. As a team we’re striving for greatness and we’re striving to win the competition.

“The boys want me to score, the boys want me to get the record. They’re putting me in those positions and credit to them for helping me get the record.

“I turned up at Exeter at 18 not really knowing what position I wanted to play. About 85 kilos. Some people probably think I’m still 85 kilos now.

ADVERTISEMENT

“They’ve allowed me to be me and score tries and excel as a player. The players do so much for me. I’m so thankful to be part of the team.”

Sections of a 3,988 crowd in west London chanted ‘Simmo is a Lion’ and the back row reflected on his selection by Warren Gatland despite being deemed surplus to requirements by England.

“It’s surreal. That was not something I ever dreamed of. I wanted to play for Exeter. I wanted to play one time, that was it,” Simmonds said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I’m lucky to have played for Exeter a lot of times, lucky enough to have played for England in 17-18. And now I’m going to look forward to the summer.”

Exeter reclaimed second place with the bonus-point win that also saw Joe Simmonds and Tom O’Flaherty touch down, but the champions were forced to dig deep before eventually pulling away.

Irish put a difficult start behind them to stay competitive until O’Flaherty and Sam Simmonds struck late tries.

Comments




Related Articles

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 HOURS AGO

    Danny Care to return to Twickenham for Barbarians match this summer

  • 23 HOURS AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

View All