Bloodied Jack Nowell an injury concern for Exeter as Sam Simmonds impresses
• Simmonds’s try against Newcastle was his fifth in as many appearances
Exeter’s brief return to the top of the Premiership, of which they are the champions, was marred by the uncertainty over an injury to Jack Nowell. The England winger was forced off in the 20th minute of the bonus-point win against Newcastle on Saturday. He left the field with blood pouring from his face after a collision, and never returned. Exeter are as yet unsure of the extent of the damage to his left cheek, but such is the injury crisis in English rugby the temptation to fear the worst would be understandable with the autumn internationals five weeks away.
Not that it is all bad news. England’s list of absentees at No8 may be up to three, but one of the several thrusting youngsters in the back-row continues to catch the eye. Sam Simmonds scored another try, his fifth in as many appearances, and this one was a beauty. Sweet handling across Exeter’s back division released him down the left from about 40 yards out. He had options on either side of him, which he used expertly as decoys, while he cut inside two defenders like the centre initial impressions suggested he was. “I played a bit of colts rugby in the centre and wing,” he said. “I pride myself on being a little bit quicker than other back-rows.”
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