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The 'like Christmas again' reason Exeter became 2020 title winners
Joe Simmonds has described the post-lockdown resumption of collective training at Exeter as “the just like Christmas” moment that helped propel the club to its most recent Gallagher Premiership title win. The 2019/20 campaign was suspended in March 2020 due to the restrictions implemented under the pandemic and it was only in August that year that matches resumed behind closed doors.
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Exeter went on to clinch the double that October, defeating Racing in the European final in Bristol and then getting the better of Wasps at a similarly deserted Twickenham, and the story of that league success has now been recounted in the second episode of the Gallagher Making the Right Call video series that takes a closer look at the key decisions that shaped iconic Gallagher Premiership Rugby title-winning seasons.
Simmonds, who was the Exeter skipper when the trophies rolled in, was one of the main contributors in the near-six-minute-long production and he began by sharing his thoughts on the sudden stoppage to the season in England and around the world.
“We always thought that we were going to be back in over the next day or the next couple of days and then days turn into weeks, weeks turned into months. I thought the S&C were very good at what they did. They kept on top of things with everyone,” he said before explaining what it was like when Exeter did eventually return to in-person training.
“It was like Christmas again, seeing everyone’s faces. The only thing you wanted to do was get back there, so soon as we got back here, there was a huge buzz. That was a huge driver. We realised when we were here we all wanted this one goal – and it was to win.”
Learn how @ExeterChiefs overcame the unique obstacles of 2020 to become #GallagherPrem Champions in Episode 2 of our exclusive series 'Making The Right Call'
Episode 2 OUT NOW! https://t.co/mahBfz0CC3#Rugby #ExeterChiefs #YourTrustedInsuranceBroker pic.twitter.com/ZrFyWpquTr
— Gallagher UK (@GallagherUK) May 22, 2023
Rob Baxter was the director of rugby who pulled it all together for Exeter despite the stoppage. “I remember turning up to stadiums and it being eerie, eerily quiet. We were having a successful season, things were going particularly well… We were seeing the news starting to filter around that things were happening around Covid-19. It was fantastic work from our S&C staff and physio staff. They pretty much broke the gym down and got it out in various centres around Exeter and into players’ houses.
“The players must have been exceptional because when we turned up and were allowed to come back into the first limited training – socially distanced, not inside – they were in great shape.”
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The restarted season culminated in one splendid week in October. “We had won the Champions Cup the week before and you were kind of looking at the team and going, ‘Right, the next game we have got is another final’,” continued Baxter.
“It’s that kind of togetherness and that bond that leads to great performances and great experiences. That level of grit and determination to stay in a fight and without a doubt that period of isolation was part of that growth that we needed.”
Simmonds added: “We got that week (between the finals) right. We could have gone to winning a final, got all intense, real focus on what we had to do whereas I felt like we needed to step back a bit to give us that time to realise what we have achieved. That is where we as a club and individuals probably come out on top because we created a buzz between ourselves.”
- Gallagher is a global insurance broker, risk management services and consulting firm dedicated to helping business leaders make the right call. To find out more about Gallagher’s Making The Right Call video series, created in partnership with Premiership Rugby, visit: ajg.com/uk/making-the-right-call
Comments on RugbyPass
What a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
40 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
40 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to comments