Boss gave me heart of Lion
SIMMOND’S DEBT TO GATLAND
EXETER No.8 Sam Simmonds has been back in the England fold since the autumn – and he says he owes it all to a New Zealander who used to be in charge of Wales.
Simmonds, who lines up for Exeter against Munster today, was ignored by Eddie Jones after winning seven caps between 2017 and 2018, before a call from British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland gave him a window into an international return.
Gatland called Simmonds, who was out of the England frame, in early 2021 to tell him that a spot on the Lions tour to South Africa was on the cards.
The 90-second chat gave Simmonds the motivation to get back to the highest level and he has thrived since, belatedly getting Jones’ approval.
And he highlighted the trip to face the world champion Springboks as the moment he saw what he had been missing.
Simmonds, above, said: “That was the start of me really wanting to get back into the England fold.
“Warren just said he knew I was not playing international rugby at the time but to keep doing what I was doing and we will definitely consider you. I’ve enjoyed testing myself at that level again, whereas maybe in the past I was a little bit of a rabbit in the headlights and didn’t maybe take the opportunity that was put in front of me.
“I didn’t really express myself, whereas I feel like the Lions gave me the confidence to do that, and then that added in to playing for England.” Simmonds’ Chiefs face the Irish heavyweights at Sandy Park and head to Ireland for the second leg next Saturday.
It is the first time the Champions Cup has had two-legged knockouts.
Simmonds said of today’s opponents: “They are a very emotional side and historically these European games for them are massive.
“These games for us are massive as well, we haven’t got as much history as them in the competition, but we’re trying to build that now.”
There is an all-Premiership affair at the AJ Bell Stadium where Sale – with Manu Tuilagi starting his first game since February after an aborted Six Nations – take on Bristol.
TODAY’S CHAMPIONS CUP FIXTURES: Sale v Bristol 1pm, BT
Sport; Exeter v Munster, 5.30pm, BT Sport.