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Forgotten English standoff Joe Simmonds is flying it in the Top 14
By Ian Cameron
Forgotten English flyhalf Joe Simmonds has emerged as the top scorer in the Top 14, showcasing his prowess with new club Pau in the French top flight.
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The 26-year-old, who had fallen off England’s selection radar prior to making the jump across the channel, has taken the French rugby league by storm, leading the points table with an impressive tally of 77.
Simmonds’ points tally includes 17 penalties and 13 conversions, solidifying his position at the summit of the league’s scoring charts. Pau, currently sitting in second place on the table, are on 22 points, as are league leaders Stade Francais; both teams having played six games each in the highly competitive Top 14.
Simmonds’ rise through the points-scoring ranks will come as no surprise to Exeter Chiefs fans, even if he was consistently overlooked by England. The brother of British & Irish Lion Sam Simmonds, who spent his formative years at Exeter, played a pivotal role in the Chiefs’ success in the English Premiership and in the Champions Cup before making the move to Pau, a decision that looks like a wise one based on the first six games of the 26 game regular season.
On the heels of Simmonds in the points-scoring race is another forgotten talent, former Ireland flyhalf Paddy Jackson. Having left London Irish in the aftermath of their collapse last season, Jackson now dons the colours of Lyon and has amassed an impressive 74 points. The 31-year-old Irishman has brought a wealth of experience to his new club, adding a dynamic edge to Lyon’s attack. The Ulsterman – who was capped 25 times by Ireland – hasn’t played for an Irish province since his IRFU contract was terminated in 2018 following a highly publicised court case in Northern Ireland.
Simmonds isn’t the only English talent on the table. Former Leicester Tigers standoff Zack Henry also features among the league’s top scorers. The Stade Francais playmaker currently sits in sixth on the points-scoring chart with 51 points to his name. He’s scored 13 penalties and six conversions so far this season for the early season league leaders.
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The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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