Exeter’s brief return to the top of the Premiership, of which they are
Adidas Lanny McDonald Authentic Jersey the champions, was marred by the uncertainty over an injury to Jack Nowell. The England wing was forced off in the 20th minute of the bonus-point win against Newcastle on Saturday. He left the field with blood pouring from his face after a collision, and never returned. Exeter are as yet unsure of the extent of the damage to his left cheek, but such is the injury crisis in English rugby the temptation to fear the worst would be understandable with the autumn internationals five weeks away. Exeter eager to emulate gold standard set by Saracens in Champions Cup Read more Not that it is all bad news. England’s list of absentees at No8 may be up to three, but one of the several thrusting youngsters in the back-row continues to catch the eye. Sam Simmonds scored another try, his fifth in as many appearances, and this one was a beauty. Sweet handling across Exeter’s back division released him down the left from about 40 yards out. He had options on either side of him, which he used expertly as decoys, while he cut inside two defenders like the centre initial impressions suggested he was. “I played a bit of colts rugby in the centre and wing,” he said. “I pride myself on being a little bit quicker than other back-rows.” Whether he is Eddie Jones’s idea of an international No8 remains to be seen. Heavy-duty carrying in the style of Billy Vunipola may not be his thing. Simmonds confesses that his natural weight is little more than 16st, but if what you do with it counts for anything that should not be held against him. His dimensions are almost the same as those of David Pocock, Australia’s
http://www.authenticcoloradoavalanche.com/authentic-matt-duchene-jersey talisman of a No8, but his pace is of a different class. Simmonds revealed that he has been clocked at close to 34km/h, which puts him just short of James Short and Olly Woodburn, the fastest players in Exeter’s squad. “I am not going to be able to keep up with them … [but] I do like to work on my speed,” Simmonds added. “I’m trying to beat the tight five forwards with footwork and pace, but I don’t really get anywhere close to Shorty.” Exeter back on top in Premiership with bonus-point defeat of Newcastle Read more That said, he is not alone among Exeter’s back-row forwards in displaying such pace. Don Armand has apparently clocked similar speeds and as an England tourist last summer of grander physical dimensions, he may be perceived as higher up the pecking order. Despite the growing talk, Simmonds has had no contact from those who matter with England. “Not as of yet. A lot of people
Fozzy Whittaker Youth Jersey are going to be talked about, not just at this club,” he said. “There are other guys playing just as well as me. Anyone who has ambitions is going to be trying to push on as a player. If things come my way then happy days.” Certainly he is a different proposition as a No8 to the man coaching the opposition, Dean Richards, the last word in English No8s 30 years ago. Not for the first time in his long career, he is building quite the project in the north-east. If scoring four tries in the lair of the champions is something to be quietly proud of, there was no
http://www.panthersfootballprostore.com/graham-gano-jersey-for-sale-c-23.html sign of it in his glowering countenance after this 34-24 defeat. He is teaching the Falcons to hate defeat, whatever its form, which is as valuable lesson as any of the more technical ones they are clearly taking on
