{{Short description|English rugby union player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Joe Simmonds {{Post-nominals|country=GBR}} | image = Simmons2.jpg | birth_name = Joe Simmonds | caption = Simmonds playing for Exeter, November 2018 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|12|19|df=y}} | birth_place = Torquay, England | death_date = | death_place = | height = 6ft | weight = 191lbs | relatives = Sam Simmonds (brother) | school = Ivybridge Community College | university = | position = Fly half, Full back | currentclub = Pau | years1 = 2015–2023 | clubs1 = Exeter Chiefs | apps1 = 170 | points1 = 1,114 | years2 = 2015–2016 | clubs2 = → Taunton | apps2 = 10 | points2 = 20 | years3 = 2016–2017 | clubs3 = → Plymouth Albion | apps3 = 10 | points3 = 21 | years4 = 2023– | clubs4 = Pau | apps4 = 70 | points4 = 830 | repyears1 = 2016 | repteam1 = England U20 | repcaps1 = 2 | reppoints1 = 6 | clubupdate = 21 October 2025 | repupdate = 17 July 2019 }}
'''Joe Simmonds''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}} (born 19 December 1996<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/285787.html|title=Joe Simmonds|publisher=ESPN|access-date=14 March 2018}}</ref>) is an English rugby union player for Top 14 side Section Paloise. He plays as a fly-half and was the Captain of Exeter Chiefs before joining Pau.
==Early life== Simmonds grew up in Teignmouth, Devon, where his father and uncle are both in the fishing industry.
His elder brother is Sam Simmonds.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39229906|title=Sam & Joe Simmonds: Exeter Chiefs brothers 'push each other'|date=2017-03-10|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en-GB}}</ref> In their youth, both attended the Rugby Academy at Ivybridge Community College.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/players/joe-simmonds|title=Exeter Chiefs Player List|access-date=15 February 2019|archive-date=15 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215215702/https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/players/joe-simmonds|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Rugby playing career== Simmonds made his full debut for Exeter on 4 March 2018 against Saracens and was named man of the match.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43287082|title=Joe Simmonds: Exeter fly-half hailed after impressive debut against Saracens|date=2018-03-05|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en-GB}}</ref>
The following week, he kicked the winning penalty as Exeter beat the Newcastle Falcons to advance to the Anglo-Welsh Cup final.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43344311|title=Anglo-Welsh Cup: Exeter Chiefs 20-17 Newcastle Falcons|date=2018-03-09|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en-GB}}</ref>
In the final, which was rearranged to March 30 due to snow, Simmonds kicked 13 points as the Chiefs won the cup 28–11 against Bath Rugby.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/43582927|title = Anglo-Welsh Cup final: Bath 11-28 Exeter Chiefs|work = BBC Sport|date = 29 March 2018}}</ref> In the previous season, he had played in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final but Exeter lost to Leicester Tigers on that occasion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39292142|title=Exeter 12-16 Leicester|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>
Simmonds was made captain of Exeter Chiefs in the European Rugby Champions Cup when Exeter played Glasgow Warriors in round five of the Cup in January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Captain Joe to lead Chiefs|url=https://www.radioexe.co.uk/news-and-features/local-news/captain-joe-to-lead-exeter-in-europe/|access-date=2020-10-17|website=Radio Exe|language=en}}</ref> Jack Yeandle remained the club captain.
Simmonds led Exeter on the pitch in the delayed final of the 2020 Champions Cup.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McLaughlin|first=Luke|date=2020-10-17|title=Exeter 31-27 Racing 92: European Champions Cup final – live!|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2020/oct/17/exeter-v-racing-92-european-champions-cup-final-live|access-date=2020-10-17|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Simmonds is the youngest player to captain a side to victory in the final of the European Cup.<ref name="tweet1">{{cite tweet |author=Heineken Champions Cup |user=ChampionsCup |number=1317530805607030784 |date=2020-10-17 |title=As the youngest ever captain to lead his troops to European glory, @joesimmo10is the @HeinekenStar of the Match 🌟 How impressive was the 23-year-old fly-half today? Here's how @ExeterChiefswon the #HeinekenChampionsCup 👉 https://t.co/ZD6JoTX8FD https://t.co/WrU42xM2LF |language=en |access-date=2021-01-03}}</ref> He also won 'Star of the Match' for his performance in that game<ref name="tweet1"/> and kicked 5 successful kicks out of 5 attempts. He was the top points scorer in the 2019–20 European Rugby Champions Cup.
In May 2023, it was confirmed Simmonds was signing for the French side, Pau, after the implementation of new financial restrictions in the Premiership resulted in several players leaving Exeter Chiefs.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pau confirm signing of Exeter fly-half Simmonds |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/65757682 |access-date=2023-05-31}}</ref>
After seven seasons with Exeter, where he scored over 1,000 points, Joe Simmonds decided to continue his career in France.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-29 |title=Joe Simmonds: 'My rugby at Exeter was not where I wanted it to be' |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/joe-simmonds-my-rugby-at-exeter-was-not-where-i-wanted-it-to-be/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=www.rugbypass.com |language=en}}</ref> He joined Section Paloise for the 2023–24 season, signing a two-year contract.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pau officialise l'arrivée de Joe Simmonds |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Pau-officialise-l-arrivee-de-joe-simmonds/1399521 |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr}}</ref>
Upon his arrival, he quickly established himself as the starting fly-half, securing three consecutive starts in the Top 14.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joe Simmonds, le nouveau guide du jeu palois |url=https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/09/02/top-14-joe-simmonds-le-nouveau-guide-du-jeu-palois-11426205.php |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=rugbyrama.fr |language=fr}}</ref> Despite initially having limited proficiency in French, he adapted quickly, aided by his compatriot and international scrum-half Dan Robson.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Carère |first=Jérôme |date=2023-08-27 |title=Section Paloise : Joe Simmonds, déjà un baromètre |url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/sport/rugby/section-paloise-joe-simmonds-deja-un-barometre-16416861.php |archive-date= |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=La République des Pyrénées |language=fr-FR}}</ref> He also highlighted the differences between playing in France and England, noting a faster pace and a less rigid structure, which suited his style of play.<ref name=":1" />
After just three matches, he was voted Player of the Month for September by the fans and led the league in points scored.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-12 |title=Forgotten English standoff Joe Simmonds is flying it in the Top 14 |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/english-standoff-joe-simmonds-is-flying-it-in-the-top-14/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=www.rugbypass.com |language=en}}</ref>
In his first Top 14 season, he emerged as a key player.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lannessans |first=Georges |date=2023-11-05 |title=Section Paloise : Joe Simmonds, leader par essence et par l'exemple |url=https://www.sudouest.fr/sport/rugby/top14/section-paloise-joe-simmonds-leader-par-essence-et-par-l-exemple-17339362.php |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=SudOuest.fr |language=fr-FR}}</ref> He played 24 matches (starting 23) and finished as the league’s top points scorer with 246 points.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joe Simmonds prolonge à Pau jusqu'en 2028 |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Joe-simmonds-prolonge-a-pau-jusqu-en-2028/1508603 |access-date=9 January 2025 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr}}</ref> He was also the most-used player in the league in terms of minutes played.<ref>{{cite web |author=Yanis Guillou |date=30 May 2024 |title=Top 14 - Joe Simmonds, l'homme qui doit porter la Section paloise |url=https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2024/05/30/top-14-joe-simmonds-lhomme-qui-doit-porter-la-section-paloise-11983110.php |access-date=9 January 2025 |website=rugbyrama.fr |language=fr}}</ref>
His second season (2024–25) saw him solidify his role as the team's playmaker.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |author=Carrère |first=Jérôme |date=24 March 2025 |title=Section Paloise : « Million Dollar Joey » Simmonds, ce crack qui claque |url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/sport/rugby/section-paloise/top-14-section-paloise-million-dollar-joey-simmonds-ce-crack-qui-claque-23746787.php |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=La République des Pyrénées |language=fr-FR}}</ref> Despite numerous injuries in the squad,<ref>{{cite web |title=Blessures et absences d'internationaux : Pau enchaîne les coups durs |url=https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/02/21/top-14-blessures-et-absences-dinternationaux-pau-enchaine-les-coups-durs-12524718.php |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=rugbyrama.fr |language=fr}}</ref> he remained a key player in both attack and defense.<ref>{{cite web |author=Richard Escot |date=25 March 2025 |title=Joe Simmonds, Section Paloise's golden-footed fly-half |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Article/Joe-simmonds-l-ouvreur-au-pied-d-or-de-la-section-paloise/1549303 |access-date=25 March 2025 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In September 2024, he extended his contract with Section Paloise until 2028.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jérôme Carrère |date=19 September 2024 |title=Section Paloise : l'ouvreur anglais Joe Simmonds prolonge sur le long terme ! |url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/sport/rugby/section-paloise/section-paloise-l-ouvreur-anglais-joe-simmonds-prolonge-sur-le-long-terme-21440502.php |access-date=9 January 2025 |website=La République des Pyrénées |language=fr-FR}}</ref>
On matchday 19 of the 2024–25 Top 14 season, he played a decisive role against Montpellier Hérault Rugby.<ref>{{cite web |author=Laurent Vignasse |date=23 March 2025 |title=Rugby: Section Paloise secures a dramatic win over Montpellier |url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/sport/rugby/section-paloise/section-paloise-l-ouvreur-anglais-joe-simmonds-prolonge-sur-le-long-terme-21440502.php |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=La République des Pyrénées |language=fr}}</ref> He scored a last-minute drop goal,<ref>{{cite web |author=Ilian Valet |date=22 March 2025 |title=Top 14 : le drop victorieux de Joe Simmonds qui permet à la Section Paloise de s'imposer face à Montpellier |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/rugby/top-14/top-14-le-drop-victorieux-de-joe-simmonds-qui-permet-a-la-section-palloise-de-s-imposer-face-a-montpellier-20250322 |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=Le Figaro |language=fr}}</ref> securing a 40-38 victory and keeping the team in the race for the top six.<ref name=":0" />
==Honours== '''Exeter Chiefs''' *European Rugby Champions Cup: 2019–20 *Premiership Rugby: 2019–20 *Anglo-Welsh Cup: 2017–18
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Section Paloise squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simmonds, Joe}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:English rugby union players Category:Exeter Chiefs players Category:Section Paloise players Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire Category:Rugby union players from Torquay Category:Rugby union fly-halves Category:English expatriate rugby union players in France Category:People educated at Ivybridge Community College Category:21st-century English sportsmen