'There's a perception because he's not 130kgs and 6'4 that he can't mix with the big boys'
Chris Robshaw has given his take on fellow back row Sam Simmonds’ absence from Eddie Jones’ England squad, saying he “doesn’t fit the jigsaw” because of his size.
The former England captain was a guest on RugbyPass Offload this week, joining Christina Mahon and Jamie Roberts from Las Vegas, where he is based while playing for the San Diego Legion.
After England’s poor showing at the Guinness Six Nations, the topic of Simmonds’ omission from the squad was raised, as it continues to be one of the decisions that Jones is questioned over the most.
The Exeter Chiefs No8 won the last of his seven caps in the 2018 Six Nations, playing in a back row alongside Robshaw. He suffered a long-term ACL injury later that year, and has never made an England squad since, despite being named the 2020 European player of the year after winning the domestic and European double with the Chiefs.
Robshaw shared what Simmonds’ coach Rob Baxter has said in the past, that the 26-year-old is not the size of a stereotypical Test No8, but still feels there is a place for the Exeter man in an England squad.
“He’s the form player, he’s playing well, but he doesn’t fit the jigsaw,” the 66-cap Englishman said.
“Every coach has a jigsaw in front of them and every player is a piece. Sometimes your piece fits and other times it doesn’t and maybe your piece fits a different coach. Down at Exeter they love him and he plays well.
“I think with Sam there’s a perception because he’s not 130kgs and 6’4 that he can’t mix with the big boys. But you look how powerful he is and you look at when he goes up against the likes of Toulouse, their pack is monstrous, and he is making gain line after gain line and making inroads and knocking people back. Sometimes perception plays on people’s minds I think, what certain people look like or do they fit the mould, but I would have loved to see him in there.
“Personally, when they’re playing well, I still think the best back row is the [Tom] Curry, the [Sam] Underhill and the [Billy] Vunipola, however I would love to see Sam Simmonds on the bench for the last 20 or 30 minutes. The game has opened up, tired bodies out there, I think he would be brilliant.”
“He’s got good footwork, he’s powerful in the contact, but he doesn’t look 6’4 and 130kgs, I honestly think that is the difference.
Simmonds has amassed 14 tries in the Gallagher Premiership this season, six more than his nearest rival.https://t.co/o0DcxjKptk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 8, 2021
“When people say “I want an international No8,” you look at Vunipola, [Taulupe] Faletau, Duane Vermeulen, Kieran Read, these types of guys who are all that kind of build. But you look at Ben Earl can sit on the bench and he can cover all three positions, so why can’t someone like Sam Simmonds come on?
“Because he has had some international experience, he has had that taste, I think that is sometimes more frustrating as a player. You’ve had that taste, you want to be back there, you know everyone is saying “you should be playing, you should be playing,” and it is tough not to get drawn into that.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Always proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
13 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
1 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
107 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
6 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsAT THE END OF THE DAY THE TEAM WITH 4 WORLD CUPS WILL ALWAYS GET TO TELL THE OTHER NATION TO SUCK MY BALLS. THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC AND IRREFUTABLE FACT.
107 Go to commentsWish him and his family the best in his retirement from International rugby and into the future.
1 Go to commentsSelf proclaimed expert/pundit Andy Goode and his very personal views on referees…Why recalling them in such an article as if he were an undisputed authority on the subject ? Only because fellow writer ?
1 Go to commentsLate growth spurts are a common problem over here. I’m well over 30, and I just started having a growth spurt too. Could be a world class prop soon.
1 Go to commentsas much as the challenge cup is a bit of a nothing competition, winning it would still mean something. last year it was won by toulon, who are now something like 4th in the top 14? The year before it was won by Lyon a season before they finished 3rd in the league. The year before that the final was contested by Montpellier and Leicester - 12 months before they both became domestic champions. That should give Gloucester fans some hope.
1 Go to commentsgreat article - although I can’t help wonder whether the more relevant debate over coming years will be between Ford and Fin Smith!
12 Go to commentsMaking Scott Barrett captain might be a masterstroke….will calm him down & stop brain fades and also take pressure off Ardie, so he can just play his natural monster game. Lets see how that all pans out🧐
8 Go to commentsI’m surprised Scotland are planning to rest key players this summer - I don’t think any other tier 1 nation will be doing the same?
3 Go to commentsGreat analysis Brett and what a shame that RA haven't spent more on the tight five instead. BTW I see the latest 8-9 Combo has dropped, looking forward to that. It's incredible the amount of damage that Hamish and Eddie's egos did in such a short space of time. From memory Eddie drove the initial drive to poach league stars way back in the 00s, with community rugby paying the price in reduced funding. Australia went from 15% of its income being spent on community rugby in 2002 to 2.4% in 2015, sheer madness and look where they are now. Hamish reminds me of Scrappy Doo. Always mouthing off, spoiling for a fight with bigger dogs who'd eat him alive. Sadly RA didn't have a Scooby Doo to bail him out.
13 Go to comments*_“I love watching bone-shuddering tackles, brutal clear-outs, monster ball carries, and crushingly intense scrummaging. I love it. These things make my heart rate spike. These aren’t the only things I love about rugby, but I feel no need to pretend I don’t love them, or to apologise for loving them just in case someone thinks I shouldn’t.”_* beautifully put Flats🔥
3 Go to comments