ON THE BLINDSIDE
Joe Simmonds could be joining older brother Sam, below, in France next season, but he will need to invoke a release clause in his Exeter deal if he wants to secure a move to the Top 14.
The Chiefs have already lost two England internationals, No.8 Sam and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie to Montpellier, when their contracts at Sandy Park run out at the end of the season.
Now Simmonds junior could be joining them after Blindside sources revealed that his CV has been doing the rounds of French clubs over the last few weeks.
The former England U20 international, who had loan spells with Plymouth Albion and Taunton earlier in his career, will be celebrating his 27th birthday tomorrow.
Simmonds was a member of the Chiefs' Premiership and European Cup double-winning squad when he finished as the leading points scorer in the European competition.
He has been linked with a switch to Racing 92, while Pau are also understood to be in the market for a fly-half with Wales international Gareth Anscombe also under consideration.
Simmonds has made over 160 appearances for the Chiefs, who have found it tough to keep all their big names since the salary cap was reduced during the Covid pandemic.
