Paire’s ‘rubbish’ day
BENOIT PAIRE posted his career earnings of £6.5million on social media and claimed “it’s worth being rubbish”, after his latest bizarre defeat at the Argentine Open.
The Frenchman was warned twice for spitting against Francisco Cerundolo, the second leading to a point penalty.
Then serving at 1-5 down in the third set, the world No29 tanked the game with two double faults, losing 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Paire then posted a screenshot of his career winnings with the caption: “In the end it is worth it to be rubbish.”
The No3 seed lost his temper over a line call when 2-0 down in the second set.
JOE SIMMONDS is frustrated at not getting a look-in with England – but it is brother Sam he really feels for.
Fly-half Simmonds captained Exeter to the Premiership and European Cup double last year.
It earned him an MBE from the Queen, but no recognition whatsoever from Eddie Jones, who has not capped a new fly-half in six years as England boss.
Sam is also hammering against a locked door despite being European player of the year and scorer of 12 tries – twice as many as any player in this season’s Premiership.
Lions great Jamie Roberts went as far as to say: “Sam Simmonds could well end up starting for the Lions and not be picked for England.”
As his younger sibling, Joe accepts he is biased, but said: “Sam is playing his best rugby and for me is by far the best player in the Premiership. He does a hell of a job for us week in, week out. He scores tries, he makes his tackles and a lot of carries. He’s playing consistently better than some internationals.
“I just think it’s a bit unfair at the moment with some of the decisions that are made. The players England are picking reached a World Cup final, they are amazing players.
“But there’s a lot of others in-form in the Premiership not getting a look-in.”
In Sam’s No8 position, Billy Vunipola is England’s ever-present despite admitting his form had been “rubbish”. He was better against Wales but, after a second defeat in three games ended England’s Six Nations hopes, Jones is facing calls for changes.
World Cup winner Will Greenwood has placed Joe Simmonds and Harlequins’ Marcus Smith at the front of the queue of fly-halves to be “next cab off the rank”. But in all but one of his 62 Test matches in charge, Jones, below, has started either Owen Farrell or George Ford at fly-half. The exception was Danny Cipriani, given a first start for 10 years in 2018. He made the winning try but was not seen again. While Farrell and Ford have a blank weekend, Joe and his try-scoring machine brother start for Exeter in the Premiership at Bath today. “Obviously I want to play for England, it’s every kid’s dream,” said Joe. “To be fair, I don’t feel I’m playing as good as I can.” ●Joe Simmonds was speaking on behalf of Gallagher’s ‘Tackling Tomorrow. Together’ campaign.
Find out more here: ajg. com/ tacklingtomorrowtogether