SAM MISSILE SINKS IRISH
Simmonds hat-trick books home tie and dooms Exiles
NEVER mind checking on calculators. The deed is done, the game is up and London Irish are on their way back down to the Championship after a hat-trick by Sam Simmonds inspired Exeter’s easy win in Reading.
The Premiership champions and leaders were not at their best, but they were far, far too good for opponents stuck at the bottom of the table, adrift and doomed. Worcester, in 11th place, are nine points above the Exiles, who have two games left to save themselves. They are hanging on by a thread, but with Saracens coming to the Madejski Stadium on April 29, there will be no miracle escape.
Of course, the man parachuted in to mount a desperate rescue mission is not giving up — at least not publicly.
Former Ireland coach Declan Kidney refused to admit defeat last night as he said: ‘We have a cup final in two weeks’ time. It’s an all- or-nothing match for us. There are nine points in it and there are 10 points left, so we will keep fighting and we will do that to the end.’
In reality, the end is nigh, but Kidney expressed a desire to stay at the Irish beyond this season, even if it means working in the second division of the English game.
‘I was asked to come on board as a technical director for a couple of years and that is what I am doing,’ he said. ‘I have enjoyed being back in rugby and if it suits the players for me to stay we can have a chat about it.’
The latest step of the Exiles’ journey towards relegation took place at an arena which once staged grand occasions, back in the days of the Armitage brothers, the inspirational Samoans, ‘Big’ Bob Casey and Nick Kennedy and all the rest who drove Brian Smith’s dazzling team to the heights of a Heineken Cup semi-final.
There was a hollow feel to proceedings yesterday. The stands were sparsely populated and there was a sad echo whenever the stadium announcer urged: ‘Come on you Irish.’ They have been out in Berkshire for 18 years but the club have lost their public there and the mooted return to west London can’t come soon enough.
Exeter had sufficient firepower to score six tries without ever showing the best of themselves, although there was a flash of that peak performance in the creation of Simmonds’ first try in the 21st minute. The Chiefs ran back a kick from deep and after slick handling to release Ian Whitten into space, the centre’s well-timed pass sent England’s new No 8 hurtling down the right flank to score.
Ben Moon had already driven over from close range and Exeter kept up the onslaught, aided by Gareth Steenson’s flawless kicking return of six conversions and a solitary penalty.
Dave Ewers was in thunderous carrying mode to drive the Devon team forward through tackles and over the gainline, and the supreme power of the visiting pack gave them a formidable platform, allowing the likes of Jack Nowell plenty of touches and room to run.
Simmonds claimed his second try from a lineout drive just after the half-hour and he sealed his hat-trick by powering to the line by the posts in the 49th minute after Nowell had made inroads down the right.
Joe Cokanasiga blasted through Henry Slade and Lachie Turner to strike at the other end but Irish rarely threatened the 22-metre line, let alone the goal-line.
There were further Exeter tries for Mitch Lees and Jack Yeandle as the visitors ensured they will be at home in the play-offs. Chiefs forwards coach Rob Hunter said: ‘We’ve got to make sure that we’re going through the gears a bit over the next couple of weeks.
‘We’ve got to make sure we take momentum into the play-offs.’