Young Gun: Joe Simmonds – Exeter fly-half

It took Joe Simmonds only two months to go from schoolboy to a man-of-the-match performance on his debut for Exeter.
That came against Bath in the West Country Challenge on September 19 when he kicked nine from nine from the tee to end the game with 19 points in the Chiefs‘ 59-14 win.
However all the efforts he made during the summer took their toll and he had to let his body catch up.
Last Saturday, he made his delayed debut for loan club Taunton and explained the delay.
“I had a great summer which ended with that game against Bath,” he said. “I was very nervous before the game but once I was out there I forgot about everything and it went well.
“I’ve been training hard all summer and it took me a while to adapt. We used to only train a few hours at college so to train with such intensity every day was tough on the body.
“That’s why I’ve missed the start of the season with Taunton but now I’ve made my debut I hope I can keep going and get some good game time with them.
“Training alongside guys like Gareth Steenson or Henry Slade at the Chiefs is great for me. My kicking and passing has come a long way. I feel like I’m improving as a player which is key.
“I’m looking forward to putting it into practice with the Titans now. They play a similar game to Exeter so it’s been pretty easy to settle in. The A-League will start soon so maybe I can get more game time there.”
Growing up in Teignmouth, Simmonds came on Exeter’s radar when he followed his brother, Exeter flanker Sam, by joining Ivybridge College.
Despite two struggling seasons in the AASE League for Ivybridge, Simmonds caught the eye of the Exeter academy coaches and was offered a contract this summer.
Trials with England U20s followed and, although he wasn’t including in the initial EPS squad for the season, he still hopes he can win his first international cap at the Junior World Championships in Manchester next summer.
He said: “We didn’t have the best of seasons at college but I’ve tried to focus as much as possible on my own game and it worked out.
“Although the college is affiliated to the Chiefs I wasn’t, so I just enjoyed my rugby and I was lucky to get picked up in the end.
“There will be another England U20s squad announced nearer the end of the season ahead of the World Cup so that’s a nice target to have.
“I’ll try to do my best with Taunton, send my videos to the selectors and hopefully I’ll have another shot. I’ve never played for England and I’m a year young but it’d be lovely to get my first cap at a home World Cup.”