1
George Ford feeling the heat as rival emerges for one of England's two flyhalf berths
After a standout performance for Exeter Chiefs in their Heineken Champions Cup semi-final victory over Toulouse, skipper Joe Simmonds has emerged as a realistic rival for one of England’s two coveted flyhalf berths.
ADVERTISEMENT
Simmonds scored a game-winning try in the 69th minute, breaking the Stade Toulousain defensive line before dummying his way under the posts. The 23-year-old – who was also skipper – converted all his side’s four tries to boot (Simmonds has a 94 per cent goalkicking success rate in the competition to date).
Exeter booked their first-ever place Heineken Champions Cup final, a landmark team achievement, but it was hard to ignore the individual contribution of the Torquay born playmaker.
Many now believe that Simmonds remarkable form will force him into Test contention, and could be the player to finally break the Owen Farrell and George Ford’s hold over the England 10 jersey.
Joe Simmonds for England is surely an obvious move now.
— Jim Hamilton (@jimhamilton4) September 26, 2020
Brilliant performance from Joe Simmonds @joesimmo10 for @ExeterChiefs today. He’s their skipper and has developed into a quality player. Surely he’s piling on the pressure to be in Eddie Jones thoughts and the @EnglandRugby squad?
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) September 26, 2020
Joe Simmonds the 2nd best English fly half for some time and by some way to all others @btsportrugby #ExevTou
— Ross Hamilton (@RosscoHamilton) September 26, 2020
And just a thought on Joe Simmonds. Captain of England's leading club at 23, playing international-standard rugby and running the show like a seasoned veteran. Some talent.
— Andrew Baldock (@balders2) September 27, 2020
Is there a bit of Richie Mo’unga in Joe Simmonds’ scurrying from second-receiver? Having that?
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) September 26, 2020
Joe Simmonds – pound-for-pound toughest tackler in England? Burying lads.
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) September 20, 2020
If Joe Simmonds doesn’t get an England call up now then it’s clear Eddie Jones hates the Chiefs. #EXEvTOU
— Callum McPhee (@CallumMcPhee) September 27, 2020
Farrell and Ford have maintained a vice-like grip over England’s flyhalf spot since 2014. Although Stephen Myler, Toby Flood, Alex Lozowski and Danny Cipriani have all had varying levels of involvement with England camps over the course of the last decade, since Eddie Jones reign began in 2016, it’s been something of a duopoly.
Meanwhile, Jacob Umaga is developing rapidly at Wasps and has already effectively displaced former All Blacks playmaker Lima Sopoaga to fullback. Umaga appears to be Eddie’s current third choice, but Simmonds’ exposure to the highest level of European club competition could be enough to see him edge ahead of the talented 22-year-old.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jones has started one of either Farrell or Ford in all meaningful England Tests, with Farrell more often than not starting at inside centre when Ford is selected at 10. While Farrell’s spot is beyond question, George Ford could be feeling the heat from the Exeter young gun who is clearly now breathing down his neck.
Admittedly, with Leicester Tigers in rebuild mode, Ford doesn’t get the benefit of playing with European rugby’s form teams. Unfairly or not, critics of Ford have long cited alleged defensive frailties as worry when on England duty. Simmonds, who is listed at six foot tall and 87kg enjoys a modest height and weight advantage over Ford, has already earned a reputation a strong defender.
While he has previously used three and even four flyhalves in his playing squads, Jones typically names two. Simmonds, at the very least, is now part of the conversation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments