Video: Sam Simmonds scores his 13th Premiership try of the season as Exeter beat Bath
Sam Simmonds scored his 13th try of the Gallagher Premiership season as champions Exeter fought back to sink Bath 38-16 at the Recreation Ground.
Simmonds, who continues to be overlooked by England boss Eddie Jones, could not fail to have impressed watching British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland.
The Exeter number eight needs only four more touchdowns to equal the Premiership try-scoring record for one campaign, and there are still 10 rounds of regular league season action left.
Exeter trailed by 13 points midway through the second quarter after wing Ruaridh McConnochie scored a try, which Rhys Priestland converted, and he also kicked two penalties.
But the Chiefs, striving to avoid a third successive Premiership defeat, responded brilliantly, with lock Sam Skinner and wing Tom O’Flaherty each claiming two touchdowns, while Simmonds and Scotland second-row forward Jonny Gray also scored tries.
Sam Simmonds will not be denied, that's 13 tries for the season now ?
Clearly @ExeterChiefs put fuel in their try machine this morning…#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/gn0xCOPSx1
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) March 6, 2021
Joe Simmonds kicked four conversions, with Priestland kicking another penalty for Bath, who were ultimately overpowered despite England flanker Sam Underhill making a strong first appearance since January after recovering from a hip injury.
And it would be no surprise if Underhill earns an England squad recall ahead of next weekend’s Guinness Six Nations clash against France at Twickenham.
Underhill featured in a Bath line-up that also saw prop Beno Obano starting after he was released from England duty, while Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau filled the role of blindside flanker.
Any chance of someone showing this montage of Sam Simmonds 12 tries in the @premrugby so far this season to a certain E. Jones please @btsportrugby pic.twitter.com/uucdRzM9zT
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) March 6, 2021
Exeter were boosted by the return of Scotland internationals Stuart Hogg and Jonny Gray, and hooker Jack Innard packed down in the front-row instead of suspended Chiefs captain Jack Yeandle.
Bath absorbed early Exeter pressure and they were able to clear the danger after Underhill secured a turnover and Exeter were then penalised.
Priestland then booted Bath into the lead with a short-range penalty as he extended his Premiership record to 33 successful kicks.
It got even better for Bath just two minutes later, and Priestland was heavily involved, setting up a scoring chance for McConnochie by launching a pinpoint cross-kick.
McConnochie still had plenty to do, but he soared high, before spinning and turning to touch down, beating off the twin challenge of defenders O’Flaherty and Jack Maunder.
Priestland converted, and Bath were off and running, holding a 10-point advantage in rapid time.
Exeter could not escape from their own half, with Bath monopolising possession as Priestland kicked a second penalty.
The Chiefs needed to summon a response, and they delivered 11 minutes before half-time after securing lineout ball close to Bath’s line.
Bath might have expected a trademark catch and drive from the visitors, but possession quickly found its way to Maunder, who sent O’Flaherty over for a smart try that Joe Simmonds converted.
And Exeter were not finished as the interval approached, claiming a second close-range try as Sam Simmonds powered over for his 13th Premiership try of the season.
His brother drifted the conversion attempt narrowly wide, yet Exeter were well and truly back in contention, trailing by just a point at half-time.
Bath regained momentum early in the second period, impressively going through phase-play, even if they were unable to threaten Exeter’s line.
Underhill was replaced by Miles Reid midway through the third quarter, and Bath’s energy was rewarded when Priestland completed a penalty hat-trick.
Exeter came storming back, though, and they went ahead for the first time through a 61st-minute Skinner try that was made by Sam Simmonds’ powerful charge from the base of an attacking scrum.
Joe Simmonds’ conversion opened up a three-point lead, then Skinner claimed his second try in six minutes as Exeter secured a bonus point, and it was a case of job done.
Comments on RugbyPass
This has the makings of a good match. That’s Leinster’s second team but its a good one (stronger than the teams in SA recently). Ulster are really turning a page. Ryan back is huge, and Keenan too. This could be a cracker.
1 Go to commentsThe Farrells are one of the great father and son combinations. Andy was an RL great, and had he played Union as his first sport, I would be sure he would have been avery significant forcewas in League. And Owen, a Union great, who had he played League, would could have been a great there too i all probability. I feel my attitude to Owen has mellowed as he has aged, and in the post Jones era, evolved and shown his full range of talents. He really is an all round player, and I have wold hope his move to France will be successful. He may even be the piece in the jigsaw that Racing need to rise to challenge Toulouse and LAR. He is ofc now approaching 33 years of age but should still have enough left to make a big contribution in France for at least2/3 years.
45 Go to commentsI reckon it may be Jordan at 10 and Nohamba at 9, both players have played together alot and both have been on the Radar for a long time. After Pollard got injured in 2022 with Elton sidelined on a path of self destruction Erasmus and Nienaber indicated that the other options in the country at the time were thin but that Jordan and Manie were the 2 they were looking at. In the end Frans steyn played flyhalf, Willemse slotted in there on the end of year with Libbok as back up. Jordan was right there in the thinking back then so expect him to take the Jersey either as the starter.
1 Go to commentsHaha did he also* say it in a sarcastic teacher sort of manor or was it the petulant English snob sort of wail?
45 Go to commentsWell said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to commentsLet’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
124 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
4 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
6 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
124 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
45 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
6 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
124 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to comments