Sam Simmonds aims to ‘feed off’ Billy Vunipola and provides Stuart Hogg update ahead of ‘unbelievably’ competitive Top 14 season
Sam Simmonds issues a verdict on whether he and long-time rival Billy Vunipola can work and provides an update on Stuart Hogg.
Sam Simmonds has delivered his verdict on whether he and long-time rival Billy Vunipola can work together to put Montpellier back on the French rugby map.
He has also spelt out the challenge Stuart Hogg faces returning to top-level rugby in France’s Top 14 after a year retired from playing.
Simmonds v Vunipolad
For years Simmonds and Vunipola battled it out both for England selection at No.8 and Premiership glory at fierce adversaries Exeter Chiefs and Saracens.
Now fate has thrown the two together in the south of France at a club rebuilding after coming within four minutes of relegation from the Top 14 a year after being crowned French champions.
Rugby bible Midi Olympique describes this as a ‘year of judgement’ for les Cistes, who in addition to Vunipola have brought in controversial former France boss Bernard Laporte as director of rugby.
Simmonds feigns shock that Big Billy has followed him out to the same Gallic outpost after years as his nemesis at club and international level back in England.
“I move out here, get rid of that debate. Now this happens!” he laughs, casting his mind back over three Premiership finals Exeter lost to Saracens and the 75 caps Vunipola amassed to his 16.
“I’m actually excited about it, to be honest. I feel we probably missed someone of Billy’s size and carrying ability last year.
“From the chats I’ve had with the coaches, they envisage playing us together and I’m looking forward to that as we never really had much of a chance to train or play together with England.
“Hopefully, we can create a good partnership and feed off each other’s strengths.”
Sam Simmonds: ‘I never really felt I fitted in with England’
Out to win
Simmonds has been rehabbing a calf injury since the end of last season and missed last week’s win over Harlequins in Corsica. Though unlikely to be fit to face Lyon in Saturday’s Top 14 opener, he expects to open his account at Perpignan the following week.
The former European player of the year is desperate to get going and convince Montpellier fans his best years can still be in front of him.
“I came to this club wanting to win things,” he says. “I didn’t leave Exeter just for the experience of coming out to France. I still want to win – and I don’t just mean trophies, I mean games. Win in training, get better each day, and continue to improve.
“Last year was such a turbulent year, with coaches coming and going and results being very poor. It was almost just about survival.
“The relief I felt when we won the Access Match to stay in the Top 14 [20-18 against Grenoble with a 76th minute Louis Carbonel penalty] was unbelievable.
“The emotion felt better than winning trophies or winning individual accolades, because people’s jobs were on the line. You could see it in the faces of players, staff and supporters.
“This club belongs to all of Montpellier. That’s why I am so determined this year that we can create something to be proud of.
“I have been raring to go since last season ended. I almost didn’t want the off-season. I wanted to start straight away to right some of the wrongs.”
Stuart Hogg’s arrival
In addition to signing Vunipola, who created unwanted headlines when being tasered in a Spanish nightclub towards the end of his time at Saracens, Montpellier have brought Hogg in from the cold.
The ex-Scotland fullback is 32, has not played for a year and is awaiting the outcome of a domestic abuse trial, yet Simmonds backs his former Exeter teammate to add another dimension to Montpellier’s game.
“With Anthony Bouthier out for some time after ACL surgery, Hoggy is going to bring something we don’t really have at the club with the way he attacks and kicks from the backfield,” Simmonds said.
“I’m pretty excited to play with him again to be honest. Hopefully, he’ll open up some holes for me as he did in the past.
“A year out is not ideal and believe me this heat takes a bit of getting used to, but his time away could help him in the long run. From what I’ve seen in training he’s buzzing. I know how good he was and what a talent he is from playing with him at Exeter.
“I’ve heard some of the boys after seeing him train say ‘bloody hell he’s good’. Of course, he is. He’s a 100-cap international.”
Toulouse, champions of France as well holders of the Champions Cup, start the new season as favourites – buoyed further by star man Antoine Dupont’s Olympic sevens gold medal.
Jack Nowell’s La Rochelle are short-priced to give them a run for their money, Bordeaux an ever-growing force. Racing 92, with Owen Farrell in their ranks, will lead the northern challenge. Toulon, welcoming Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam have also recruited strongly,
“The competitiveness of the Top 14 is unbelievably high,” says Simmonds. “Genuinely, every game is a battle, the physicality and intensity very high.
“The French love their rugby. The atmosphere at some of the stadiums we go to is on a different level and after France’s Olympic sevens success there’s even more of a buzz around the country.”
