Chiefs feature in England win

By Mark Stevens
12/11/17

Exeter Chiefs has a new England international on its books after Sam Simmonds came off the bench during England’s 21-8 victory over Argentina at Twickenham Stadium.

The young back-row forward came on late in the second half for Nathan Hughes to join fellow Chiefs Henry Slade and Harry Williams on the pitch at the final whistle.

Together the trio helped England kick-off their Autumn campaign with a scrappy win. Wasps No.8 Hughes claimed the home side’s opening try, before Slade provided the killer pass for Bath winger Semesa Rokoduguni to add their second score.

Fly-half George Ford kicked the remainder of the points for Eddie Jones’ side, while in reply the Pumas countered with a try from Nicolas Sanchez and a penalty from Emiliano Boffelli.

It was, however, hardly vintage stuff from England, who will now gear up to face Australia at Twickenham this Saturday. The Wallabies warmed up for that fixture by seeing off Wales 29-21 in Cardiff.

Indeed, head coach Jones described his side’s victory as a “grindathon”.

“We were off the pace a bit, but we did some good things well,” said Jones. “We haven’t played together since March [exclusing the June tour to Argentina without his British & Irish Lions] and the understanding wasn’t there, which is understandable.

“However, it was a good win. You can’t underestimate Argentina. They are a good team and they played well and it’s a great contest for us.”