Joe Simmonds is adamant Exeter Chiefs’ collective desire and mental steel can help them overcome the individual flair and brilliance of holders La Rochelle to reach another memorable European final.
The fly-half highlights the resilience and character demonstrated by the men from Devon in their dramatic late victory over Bristol as good reason to be confident they can upset the odds in France today.
Chiefs defied losing lock Dafydd Jenkins to a red card after less than 20 minutes to pull off a morale-lifting Premiership win and guarantee themselves another season of top European action.
Simmonds, one of the exodus of players leaving the club this summer who enjoyed an emotional final home appearance last weekend, showed he is in fine form for Chiefs’ huge Champions Cup challenge by kicking the winning penalty against Bears.
Simmonds says Exeter have no reason to fear another big test across the Channel having beaten La Rochelle at Stade Marcel-Deflandre four years ago. Today’s contest is being held at the larger 42,000 capacity Matmut
Atlantique, and Simmonds, 26, who will be playing for Pau in the Top 14 next season, said: “La Rochelle have great individuals in the backs and also the pack, that’s for sure, but we have too. We have guys who have done it before in this competition, who know how to win it. We have big occasion players.
“We have been written off at times by people and were underdogs to win our last two games in Europe but the faith and belief we have as a team that we can rise to any challenge or task remains so strong. It has helped us get to this stage of the competition and we want to continue the journey for a bit longer.
“The important thing right now is to nail what we do well, and what makes us a good team. We also have to realise why we are in this semi-final again. We are in it because we are a good team which fights for each other and everything. We have to be ready to go in France and we will be.”
Exeter’s director of rugby Rob Baxter insists: “It’s going to be a big challenge but this club thrives on big challenges. I know the guys will turn up in France. We’ve beaten them before and I believe we can surprise some people.
“These big European occasions are sometimes once in a lifetime for some players. However, you clearly enjoy them more, and look back on them with happier memories, if you win.”
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