Joe Simmonds
Joe Simmonds MBE (born 19 December 1996[1]) is an English rugby union player for Premiership Rugby side Exeter Chiefs. He plays as a fly-half and is the first team captain.
![]() Simmonds playing for Exeter, November 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Birth name | Joe Simmonds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 19 December 1996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Torquay, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft (183 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 191 lb (87 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Ivybridge Community College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notable relative(s) | Sam Simmonds (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life
Simmonds grew up in Teignmouth, Devon, where his father and uncle are both in the fishing industry.
His elder brother is Sam Simmonds.[2] In their youth, both attended the Rugby Academy at Ivybridge Community College.[3]
Rugby playing career
Simmonds made his full debut for Exeter on 4 March 2018 against Saracens and was named man of the match.[4]
The following week he kicked the winning penalty as Exeter beat the Newcastle Falcons to advance to the Anglo-Welsh Cup final.[5]
In the final, rearranged to March 30 due to snow, Simmonds kicked 13 points as the Chiefs won the cup 28–11 against Bath Rugby.[6] The previous season he had played in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final but Exeter lost to Leicester Tigers on that occasion.[7]
Simmonds was made captain of Exeter Chiefs in the European Rugby Champions Cup when Exeter played Glasgow Warriors in round five of the Cup in January 2020.[8] Jack Yeandle remained the club captain.
Simmonds led Exeter on the pitch in the delayed final of the 2020 Champions Cup.[9] Simmonds is the youngest player to captain a side to victory in the final of the European Cup.[10] He also won 'Star of the Match' for his performance in that game,[10] and kicked 5 successful kicks out of 5 attempts. He was top points scorer in the 2019–20 European Rugby Champions Cup.
Honours
Heineken Champions Cup Winners: 2019-20
Premiership Rugby Winners: 2019-20
Runners-up: 2018-19, 2017–18
Winners 2017–18
Runner-Up 2016–17 Devon Intermediate Cup 2015 winner Teignmouth RFC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvKhLRStefQ
References
- "Joe Simmonds". ESPN. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- "Sam & Joe Simmonds: Exeter Chiefs brothers 'push each other'". BBC Sport. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- "Exeter Chiefs Player List".
- "Joe Simmonds: Exeter fly-half hailed after impressive debut against Saracens". BBC Sport. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- "Anglo-Welsh Cup: Exeter Chiefs 20-17 Newcastle Falcons". BBC Sport. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- "Anglo-Welsh Cup final: Bath 11-28 Exeter Chiefs". BBC Sport. 29 March 2018.
- "Exeter 12-16 Leicester". BBC Sport.
- "Captain Joe to lead Chiefs". Radio Exe. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- McLaughlin, Luke (17 October 2020). "Exeter 31-27 Racing 92: European Champions Cup final – live!". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
- Heineken Champions Cup [@ChampionsCup] (17 October 2020). "As the youngest ever captain to lead his troops to European glory, @joesimmo10is the @HeinekenStar of the Match 🌟 How impressive was the 23-year-old fly-half today? Here's how @ExeterChiefswon the #HeinekenChampionsCup 👉 t.co/ZD6JoTX8FD t.co/WrU42xM2LF" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 January 2021 – via Twitter.