Chiefs confirm Simmonds to depart

By Mark Stevens
27/9/22

Ali Hepher insists Sam Simmonds remains an important ‘piece of the jigsaw’ for Exeter Chiefs, despite the fact he will be departing the club at the end of the current season.

Exeter’s head coach confirmed ahead of Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership clash with Harlequins that the 27-year-old would be moving to Montpellier for the 2023/24 season.

A product of the club’s highly successful academy system, Simmonds has come through the ranks to establish himself as not only one of the leading forwards in the English game, but also that of Europe as well.

His 80 tries in 117 appearances to date is a staggering statistic, but his on-field exploits has also been rewarded with two Premiership titles, one Heineken Champions Cup title, as well as 14 England caps and one for the British & Irish Lions.

This will, however, be Simmonds’ last campaign at Sandy Park and Hepher is confident the all-action forward will be looking to go out with a bang.

"What you have heard is what is happening,” Hepher told BT Sport when asked about the rumours of his move to France. “It is a fantastic move for Simmo and his family. From our perspective, these are the nice ones in some sense, with players moving on to bigger and greater things.

"We have improved him as a player and he has done a fantastic job for us over the years. He has been a great player and he moves on to a cracking opportunity. I am kind of jealous in a way. He is going to have a great time out there with the weather and everything.

“As a player, you have to take certain opportunities that come your way, simply because you’re not long in the game. That said, he’s still a very important piece in the jigsaw that is here now and I’m sure Sam will have his say over the season and we get another quality year out of him, just like we have in the past.”