AS Newcastle prepare to face Exeter, Dean Richards’ verdict on Sam Simmonds is that he is the complete No.8 who should have far more caps for England.
With three rounds of the regular league season to go 26-year-old Simmonds has an incredible 19 tries to his name, smashing the longstanding league record of wing Dominic Chapman.
Richards, who knew a thing or two about playing at the back of a pack – and was not adverse to scoring his fair share of tries – says the Exeter man has broken the mould.
“Mine were from about six inches, his are from a little bit further than that; he is an outs...