CARR STEERS WASPS HOME
Exeter’s Simmonds relishing shamed Sarries visit after double heartbreak GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP TENNIS: OLYMPIC GAMES
DISGRACED champions Saracens arrive at Exeter tomorrow for the Premiership game of the season, facing the wrath of the club their cheating hit hardest.
Saracens were docked 35 points for salary cap breaches in November, and were found guilty of financial foul play for each of the past three seasons.
In the last two of those Exeter were the side they beat in the final, yet despite their skulduggery Saracens were allowed to keep their titles.
It is not hard to imagine the reception they will receive on and off the pitch at Sandy Park tomorrow.
Chiefs owner Tony Rowe has told his opposite number Nigel Wray he is not welcome. He has also said they should have been relegated.
In Exeter circles, many are amazed that despite their history and sanctions, Saracens have strengthened their squad this season with the arrival of Elliot Daly, although the champions insist they are now financially clean.
Either way, Exeter will have no shortage of motivation when top of the Premiership meets bottom.
Chiefs’ in-form No.8 Sam Simmonds said: “They do have a lot of very good players and you may question that, but if we want to be the best team in England and in Europe then it shouldn’t really matter what team
NIZAAM CARR’S last-gasp solo try sealed a dramatic win for struggling Wasps last night.
Dai Young’s side looked destined for another defeat before No.8 Carr crossed for his side’s fourth and final try to clinch a muchneeded bonus-point victory for the visitors.
The Bears had been heading to the top of the Gallagher they put out or who they can field. It’s up to us to beat what is in front of us whether that is fair or not.
“We still have a job to do against the team that has beaten us in the last two finals. We feel we were definitely the better team in last year’s final, but that’s how good they are.
“We are genuinely very excited for them coming here. It’s a game everyone expects so much of and it normally delivers.
“We see us and them as the top two Premiership teams, and
Premiership thanks to Callum Sheedy’s 11-point haul.
But the fly-half hit the post with a simple conversion attempt following Harry Thacker’s try.
And that proved crucial for Wasps (Joe Launchbury and Jack Owlett celebrate, right).
They squeezed home thanks to Carr’s 79th minute try that ended Bristol’s unbeaten home record at a stunned Ashton Gate. we could be the top two teams in Europe this year as well.
“We feel like we match them in some areas and are better than them in some areas as well. It’s going to be a huge battle.
“In the last couple of years we have performed well against them at home. We won’t be looking at anything but a four or five-point win.”
The clash of styles will be intriguing with the best defence in Europe trying to stop the Chiefs’ pickand-go game from close range. The inevitability of an Exeter try if they are five metres from their opponents’ line is so high there have even been calls for law changes to outlaw their approach. “Whether people like how we play or not, it is effective,” said Simmonds. “Our fans love watching the abrasive, physical, hard rugby we play.”
As a No.8 with the pace of a back and an eye for open spaces, Simmonds offers a unique alternative for the Chiefs. The contrast with opposite number Billy Vunipola (inset) is total.
“We are very different types of players,” said Simmonds. “We can have impacts in the game in different places, although Billy is very quick as well.” Capped seven times by England before being struck down by a serious knee injury, Simmonds is in line for a recall to the national squad.
“I love scoring tries. On a personal level it’s great for me and it’s great for the team as well’” he said.
“It’s not just me as a forward. Someone like Jonny Hill, who has added that poacher’s instinct to his game. He’s catching me up. As long as we are scoring more than the wingers we’ll be happy.” Knee damage means there will be no Henry Slade for Exeter tomorrow, but there will be no shortage of firepower headed the champions’ way.
RAFA DREAMS OF PARIS
RAFA NADAL wants to defy logic and achieve his “dream” of playing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The world No.1 (right) has won the French Open 12 times, but will be 37 when the Olympics are staged at Roland-Garros.
The Spaniard, 33, said: “To be at the Olympics in Paris would be a dream but it is difficult to say now because it is a long way away. Logic would tell me I will not be there. But you also have to distrust logic.” Nadal and Novak Djokovic shared the four Grand Slams this year and he added: “If you’d said to me, five years ago, I would have such a season in 2019, I would have said it was impossible. So logic...”