Simmonds relishing Cup chance

If injury hadn’t struck, Sam Simmonds could now be rubbing shoulders with fellow starlets Jack Nowell and Henry Slade in Exeter Chiefs' first team – but the teenage flanker insists he is now ready to light up the LV= Cup.

Simmonds, 19, suffered a serious knee injury more than a year ago, having been hotly-tipped to become the latest player to make an impression from the Chiefs’ academy.

Upon his return to fitness, Exeter had already used up their quota of dual-registration spots, meaning he had to go out and feel his way back into first-team rugby at National Three South West side Brixham.

But this season the flanker has been gaining valuable experience in the Championship with Plymouth Albion.

And Simmonds admits there is no better way to continue his progress than a recall with the Chiefs as they start their defence of the LV= Cup against Gloucester on Saturday.

"I think playing in this LV= Cup is a big opportunity, especially for younger players who haven't had the game time," he said. "There are only so many players who get to play in the Premiership and everyone showed last year how it can be used as a stepping stone for progress.

"It's a competition that everyone takes seriously, defending the title is a big aim and we can hopefully at least get to the knockout stages again.

"The first two games are against Gloucester and Bath and being able to run out at Sandy Park, especially in two big derby games like that, will be like nothing I've done before if I get the chance.

"I've been involved in the two LV= Cups over the last two years – I've played against Ospreys twice – but an injury between set me back a bit.

"I got a lot of minutes last year at a lower level, which is what I needed, and hopefully this year is another jump up. It's frustrating, especially when you're trying to breakthrough, but I've come out of it well and I've got no worries for the future with my knee."

Although Simmonds has recently been on his travels across the South West, the current Exeter back row has never been far from his mind.

"With the technology now, you can run through the video of the guys who play in my position like Tom Johnson, Ben White, Don Armand too," he added. "I don't want to so much as replicate them but add the skill to my game that those guys have developed through all the experience they have.

"There are technical aspects and decision making that can only come through practice and looking at what they do has definitely helped me over the last year or two – it's a big addition to my training."