Falcons aim to put brake on Sam's try scoring run

AS Newcastle prepare to face Exeter, Dean Richards’ verdict on Sam Simmonds is that he is the complete No.8 who should have far more caps for England.

- JON NEWCOMBE

With three rounds of the regular league season to go 26-year-old Simmonds has an incredible 19 tries to his name, smashing the longstanding league record of wing Dominic Chapman.

Richards, who knew a thing or two about playing at the back of a pack – and was not adverse to scoring his fair share of tries – says the Exeter man has broken the mould.

“Mine were from about six inches, his are from a little bit further than that; he is an outstanding finisher,” said Richards. “One of the questions somebody may have levelled at him two or three years ago is about doing the hard yards but I don’t think that’s an issue at all now.

“I wouldn’t say he is the perfect player but he offers everything from a No.8’s point of view.”

Simmonds, last season’s European player of the year, has been named in Warren Gatland’s Lions squad despite not playing for England since the last of his seven caps in 2018.