Record-breaker Sam’s still not ready for Eddie
SAM SIMMONDS’ three-and-a-half-year wait for an England cap continues after he was sent packing by Eddie Jones.
The Exeter star had hoped Lions selection, obliterating the Premiership’s tryscoring record and being named player of the season might count for something with the Red Rose head coach.
But on a day when Jones’ most pressing concern appeared to be a leg injury to fly-half Marcus Smith, Simmonds was cut from the squad without public explanation.
Jones will instead choose between Alex Dombrandt and Tom Curry to play No.8 against Tonga in Saturday’s autumn curtain raiser at Twickenham.
Simmonds, who last played for England against Ireland in 2018, was European player of the year in 2020 after powering Chiefs to the Premiership and Champions Cup double. He followed up with 21 league tries last season to earn British & Irish Lions recognition for the tour to South Africa.
While Simmonds has returned to Devon, Smith, below, is in a race against time to take his eagerly awaited shot at controlling a fullstrength England team.
The Harlequins star is earmarked for the fly-half slot, with captain Owen Farrell in the No.12 shirt.
But Jones revealed the 22-year old has been sidelined from all but “a bit of ball handling” this week. “Marcus has a minor leg injury,” said the Australian.
“He hasn’t done much this week, we’re being conservative with him, but we’re cautiously optimistic he’ll be right to play.
“We’re not desperate, we’re never desperate. But we are keen for him to be involved in the game. If we don’t get to see him this week, we will get to see him next week.”
Farrell will move to No.10 if Smith does not make it. Max Malins, Raffi Quirke and Louis Lynagh are out due to injuries.