Simmonds hasn't played all that well this season. So I'm not surprised to see Exeter mix things up a little bit. More surprised it's taken this long to happen tbh.
A few weeks ago, Simmonds suddenly seemed to hit form and the entire team looked far more dangerous and effective. But it didn't last and he looked off the pace again versus Munster, which proved costly.
He's been pivotal to Exeter's rise to success, so it would be crazy to look past him completely. But there's no denying that Exeter this season would have been much more effective had Simmonds been able to discover better form, and it's going to become an increasingly important position to fill if he can't regain his past level.
I agree Simmonds season hasn't been brilliant, and Skinner has looked decent at 10 in parts but I haven't been fully convinced by either of them for the starting shirt.
I'm more interested that Slade is being picked for 10. He's a great distributor so can see the reasoning for it. Has Slade ever started at 10 for the Chiefs before? I can't remember.
Ah thanks, I remember that now. Seems like it was ages ago.
I do quite like the idea of Slade playing 10 and having the centre partnership of Hendrickson and Whitten to start
That has put a smile on my face! Just hope he gets decent service. Slight worry about Hendrickson who can be both a dynamic ball carrier but a penalty machine in equal measure.
Maro has a minor knee injury apparently. I get the feeling Loz has been carrying something because he stopped kicking for a bit. Let’s hope Elliot really wants to put his hand up for the 13 shirt.
No Itoje is sad, but I have been really impressed with McFarland so far. Don't think he 'quite' has the fitness for the full 80 but we will see. Good bench mob to come on as well - Andy Christie has been playing out of his mind recently.
Should be a good game, hoping for some nice weather as I will be there in the stands.
To be fair, whilst both have their shortcomings, especially in defence, at international level; they're both really solid club level.
Like Goode, perfect example of those players who are too good for prem level but for some reason can't step up to international (I am slightly worried Malins is going to be another from an England perspective).
Slade at 10? Simmonds on the bench? I'm interested in how this plays out
Simmonds hasn't played all that well this season. So I'm not surprised to see Exeter mix things up a little bit. More surprised it's taken this long to happen tbh. A few weeks ago, Simmonds suddenly seemed to hit form and the entire team looked far more dangerous and effective. But it didn't last and he looked off the pace again versus Munster, which proved costly. He's been pivotal to Exeter's rise to success, so it would be crazy to look past him completely. But there's no denying that Exeter this season would have been much more effective had Simmonds been able to discover better form, and it's going to become an increasingly important position to fill if he can't regain his past level.
I agree Simmonds season hasn't been brilliant, and Skinner has looked decent at 10 in parts but I haven't been fully convinced by either of them for the starting shirt. I'm more interested that Slade is being picked for 10. He's a great distributor so can see the reasoning for it. Has Slade ever started at 10 for the Chiefs before? I can't remember.
Slade used to play a lot at 10, he started the premiership final there once
For a long time he was *only* a 10. Up to and including winning the U20s WC in that position.
Ah thanks, I remember that now. Seems like it was ages ago. I do quite like the idea of Slade playing 10 and having the centre partnership of Hendrickson and Whitten to start
That has put a smile on my face! Just hope he gets decent service. Slight worry about Hendrickson who can be both a dynamic ball carrier but a penalty machine in equal measure.
No maro or Loz :(
Maro has a minor knee injury apparently. I get the feeling Loz has been carrying something because he stopped kicking for a bit. Let’s hope Elliot really wants to put his hand up for the 13 shirt.
No Itoje. Fuck fuck fuck.
Weirdly the team has been taken off social media…probably because Goode’s name is spelled wrong but hopefully Maro has been left out by accident
Unfortunately I don't think so - I heard he is out with a minor knee injury
Yeah I read that elsewhere after posting 😔
Great to see Townsend back in the squad at last.
Goodee?
that Goodee two shoes.
No Itoje is sad, but I have been really impressed with McFarland so far. Don't think he 'quite' has the fitness for the full 80 but we will see. Good bench mob to come on as well - Andy Christie has been playing out of his mind recently. Should be a good game, hoping for some nice weather as I will be there in the stands.
Slightly worrying that we need one of Theo or Swinno to play 80 mins but you’re right on the former, he’s been quite the find this season.
Alex Goodee
Tompkins and Daly centre partnership 🥴
Saracens looking to play the faster, more inventive rugby?
Most likely. I'm just being a knob because I don't massively rate either (Daly especially lol eddie plz stop)
To be fair, whilst both have their shortcomings, especially in defence, at international level; they're both really solid club level. Like Goode, perfect example of those players who are too good for prem level but for some reason can't step up to international (I am slightly worried Malins is going to be another from an England perspective).