Simmonds relishing semi-final showdown

By Steve Grace
28/4/23

Exeter Chiefs No.8 Sam Simmonds has acknowledged his side’s underdog tag in Sunday’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against defending champions La Rochelle, but has warned the French giants that they are undeterred.

The 2020 champions have endured a mixed campaign, impressing in the Heineken Champions Cup but missing out on the Gallagher Premiership play-offs.

The Chiefs now face the almighty task of travelling to Bordeaux to take on the reigning champions and Simmonds was appreciative of the calibre of side they are going toe-to-toe with.

“We know we won’t be favourites, but we are still confident,” he said. “La Rochelle are a team who have evolved a lot in recent years, who have been well structured.

“The ruck will be an important area. They are a very physical team, with talented international players in the back line who score superb tries.

“La Rochelle are one of the two best teams in France. When you look at their squad, there are a lot of stars who are used to the top level. But they’re not just a beefy pack and a good back line. There is a good cohesion between all the players. They feed off each other. This is a team who will be difficult to stop.

“We face a big challenge, but we will be ready. We don’t want to have regrets and want to be proud of what we do on the pitch.”

Simmonds was the EPCR Player of the Year in 2020 and Sunday’s contest will see him pitted against Grégory Alldritt, his opposite number and a nominee for the 2023 award.

“We play different styles, but it will be a great battle,” Simmonds said of the La Rochelle captain. “Our job is to point our team in the right direction, to move forward and have a big impact on the game. I am aware that he represents a real threat.

“He’s tall, he’s fast and he supports well. He’s good at the breakdown too. He has everything going for him.”

It will be the fifth time the Chiefs have played La Rochelle in European competition and they will befaced by a raucous crowd at the Matmut Atlantique, but Simmonds believes the visitors - who have a 100% record against their rivals - are experienced enough to handle such an occasion.

“We’ve already played in some big away games,” he noted. “There will be a lot of La Rochelle supporters. It’s something we have to manage, playing in a big stadium. We must not let ourselves be overwhelmed by emotion, by the atmosphere.

“We have international players who have played in big matches and we hope that their experience will carry us through. I have spoken with our supporters who will make the trip. Their support will help us.”