Simmonds is Ed of the class for Lions
SAM SIMMONDS turned on the style for Lions boss Warren Gatland as Exeter made a triumphant return to Bristol.
Six months after winning the Champions Cup at Ashton Gate, the Chiefs headed back up the M5 to cut down the Premiership leaders.
The clash between the winners of last season’s two European Cup competitions was a must-see match for Gatland ahead of his squad announcement on May 6.
And his decision paid dividends as Simmonds, the Exeter star that England’s Eddie Jones refuses to select, made another irresistible case for the South Africa tour.
Europe’s reigning player of the year was everywhere as England’s champion club avenged Bristol’s 20-7 win at Sandy Park in January.
The 26-year-old set the tone for a barnstorming Chiefs display despite requiring treatment in only the third minute for a blow to his left ankle.
Strapped up and returning to the fray, Simmonds scorched out of defence on a 40-metre burst in which he hit an astonishing 20mph.
The momentum rocked Bears back on to their heels and, 15 phases later, Sam Skinner plunged over to nullify Andy Uren’s early score for the home side. Simmonds was just getting started and six minutes later he latched on to a pass from his brother Joe in midfield and straightened the line before offloading to Tom O’Flaherty for Exeter’s second try.
Simmonds was withdrawn from the game on the hour, perhaps troubled more from his early ankle strain than he had let on. But by then the Chiefs had the win in the bag, taking a useful chunk out of Bristol’s 12-point lead at the top of the table with five games left in the regular season. Jacques Vermeulen put the nail in the Bears’ coffin, helping himself to a third Exeter try.
With the cushion of a 15-point lead, England lock Jonny Hill decided it was time to show off his never previously seen kicking skills – sending a perfect spiral downfield.
But Bristol were not quite done and Charles Piutau set up a try to remember at the death, throwing three dummies before offloading for Luke Morahan to score.
BRISTOL - Tries: Uren, Morahan. Lloyd.
EXETER - Tries: Skinner, O’Flaherty, Vermeulen. Simmonds. Pen: J Simmonds.
Con: J