Western Morning News (Saturday)
Simmonds can stake an England claim on tour
Jones will keep a close eye on Exeter ace as he heads to South Africa with the Lions
SAM Simmonds’ British and Irish Lions selection looks set to provide the outstanding number eight with a chance to kickstart his England career.
Exeter Chiefs’ record-breaking try scorer, having touched down 20 times already this season in the Gallagher Premiership, was named in Warren Gatland’s 37-man Lions squad to face South Africa this summer despite having not played for England since 2018.
Simmonds has seven international caps, all under current head coach Eddie Jones, but has not played for his country since running out against Ireland in March, 2018.
Instead, Jones has generally opted for the size of Billy Vunipola as his first-choice option at the back of scrum, however, the likes of Sale’s
Tom Curry have also played at number eight.
But Jones admitted Gatland has given Simmonds the ultimate stage to prove his international credentials.
Jones, who said there is a blank sheet this summer when it comes to selection to face Scotland A, the USA and Canada with the Australian planning to rest most of his overworked stars and 11 players away with the Lions, but would not be drawn into whether he would have re-called Simmonds if he were available to him.
He said: “All I can say is that I am pleased he has made the Lions, really pleased for him and I hope he has a great tour and I hope he comes back as a better player. Then we are in a good position.
“I don’t deal with hypotheses... every time a player plays at a high level you are assessing them.
“We have been pleased with his development as a player and if he continues on the Lions he is going to put himself in a good position (for England).”
A number of Chiefs stars look set to be on the radar this summer, with fly-half Joe Simmonds, centre Ollie Devoto and winger Tom O’Flaherty all showing form which is hard to ignore.
Jones said: “In every position, we need strengthening. We are looking for the best talent, the right talent to come into the squad.
“Obviously centre has been a position where we need to bring some new talent through. It’s nice to see Manu (Tuilagi) back playing but we will need to assess his development and we want to see what we can unearth in the centres.
“The wingers is another position where there is an opportunity for some young guys to come through.”
One man who will not be involved this summer is Wasps’ young star Paolo Odogwu who tragically tore his anterior cruciate ligament last weekend in his club’s Premiership defeat to Northampton Saints.
Odogwu was selected as part of England’s 28-man squad for the 2021 Guinness Six Nations but was not handed his debut.
He can play both on the wing and in the centre and his unfortunate absence will open the door for someone else, however, Chiefs boss Rob Baxter will be hoping none of his players are involved against Scotland A, with the first game of the summer coming the day after the Gallagher Premiership final.
Jones will announce his summer squad on Thursday, while the Chiefs return to Premiership action tomorrow when they travel to Northampton Saints looking for the win that would secure a top-two finish.