Sam Simmonds ‘a bit annoyed’ over England snub

Planet Rugby

Number eight Sam Simmonds has been left frustrated after once again being omitted from England’s squad for the Tonga match, according to his Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter.

The livewire back-row has consistently been overlooked by Red Rose head coach Eddie Jones over the past two years, despite arguably being the best player in the Premiership.

As a result of his club form, Simmonds was selected to go on the British and Irish Lions tour, but he is still struggling to break into the England team.

It means Alex Dombrandt, and potentially Tom Curry, are the preferred options at the base of the scrum for this weekend’s clash with ‘Ikale Tahi.

Expecting those emotions

“I have only just seen him this morning (Wednesday), he only got released last night,” Baxter told reporters. “To me, he probably seems frustrated and a bit annoyed, which he should be.

“He wants to play so I expect those emotions but, at the same time, he also looks like he completely understands what he wants to do this weekend and what he needs to do to give himself the best opportunity to be involved next week (against Australia).

“He will go back into camp on Sunday and he has got every opportunity to play next week. You have got to keep looking forward as an athlete and as a player. There is no point reflecting too long on this week, he has got to move forward to next week as quick as he can.”

Jones has often stated in the past that Simmonds has had several areas to improve on if he wanted to be considered for England selection, but Baxter reckons the number eight has impressed the Red Rose boss recently.

“Sam has had his review and I get the impression that Eddie Jones is actually pretty happy with him. From what Sam said he has trained well, it’s just he has missed out this time around but has every opportunity to play in the next couple of games,” he said.

“I don’t think there is any major fault, it’s just time in the squad and some little improvements and work-ons within how England play. Sam has discussed it with me and has discussed it with Eddie and I don’t think there is any more than that.

“I can’t tell you how Eddie Jones is looking at this series, I can’t tell you whether he has got any pre-planning based around how he is looking at combinations of players and I can’t tell you what he is seeing when he is watching the players train. Yes, I was expecting Sam to be involved but I can’t say any more than that really.

“As head coaches, directors of rugby and selectors, we all look at different things and see different things and have different plans… For me, it is just one of those things.”

After missing out on international selection, Simmonds looks set to play a significant part for Exeter in their encounter against Newcastle Falcons on Saturday.

Baxter added: “He is back, he has told me he is ready to play, ready to be involved this weekend, so we will probably look to involve him in some capacity.

“Hopefully he understands that by performing well he might have a better opportunity to get into the (Test) starting line-up than someone who is sitting on the bench for England this week. That is the reality, that is how it can work and that is very much how he has got to take it.”

 

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