Simmonds and Kirsten give Chiefs a huge boost
More firepower for Baxter to call upon with key pair available to face Newcastle
EXETER Chiefs are set for a double forward boost ahead of the visit of Newcastle Falcons tomorrow evening in Round Eight of the 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership.
Versatile South African lock or flanker Jannes Kirsten is back available for selection having been sidelined since September with an ankle injury and Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter revealed explosive number eight Sam Simmonds will feature at Sandy Park after being released by England on Tuesday night.
Baxter said: “We didn’t pick up any fresh injuries at Gloucester, unbelievably. It is the first time this season we haven’t picked up at least two, so that is good.
“We have obviously got fewer players available because of the internationals. We are expecting Scotland to keep Stuart Hogg and Sam Skinner, you have seen the England squad so we have Sam Simmonds available [but Jonny Hill and Henry Slade are away] Jannes Kirsten is fit so we have got some depth there.
“We haven’t got any other returnees other than Jannes and Sam.
Baxter continued: “With Jannes, we potentially could have picked him last week [for the 16-13 victory away at Gloucester].
“He trained fully but it was just a bit more sensible and precautionary to give him a bit more time on the training field and his ankle that bit more healing time. He is raring to go.”
Baxter admitted he was surprised Eddie Jones had decided to release last season’s Premiership player of the Season back to him this week, rather than play Simmonds (pictured) against Tonga at Twickenham this weekend, but believes his tryscoring machine will use the setback as motivation at club level.
Simmonds played for the British and Irish Lions this summer after displaying consistently stunning club form over the last couple of seasons at Exeter, but the 26-yearold has not played for England since 2018.
Discussing Simmonds, Baxter said: “He is back, he has told me he is ready to play so we will probably involve him in some capacity.
“He understands that by performing well he gives himself an opportunity.
“He might have a better opportunity to get into the starting England side by playing well for us this weekend rather than sitting on the bench for England. That is sometimes how it can work and how he has got to take it.”
There will be no return for Exeter’s giant blindside talisman Dave Ewers this week who is sidelined with a minor non-rugby related health issue, Baxter confirmed.
He said: “Dave is out with something that is not a rugby injury. He just needs a few more days to recover.
“Dave is very frustrated because it is just a very minor injury issue but it is significant enough to mean he can’t play.”
Elsewhere Baxter confirmed the artificial pitch burns that Jack Nowell suffered away at Gloucester, and shared across social media, were not bad enough to keep him out of action given the appropriate level of care.