In an exclusive interview with Planet Rugby, former England number eight Sam Simmonds, now playing for Montpellier, shared insights into the personal and professional reasons behind his departure from international rugby. Simmonds, who has not featured for England since he made himself unavailable for the Rugby World Cup last year, candidly discussed how he felt out of place within the England setup.
As the Top 14 season prepares to kick off, Simmonds reflected on his time with England, revealing that despite his love for playing for his country, he never truly felt like he belonged. This sentiment led him to make the difficult choice of stepping back from England duties, a decision he made after much contemplation. He admits that the thought of enduring the intense pre-season training only to potentially face exclusion from the World Cup squad was overwhelming.
Simmonds elaborated on his mental state during this period, explaining that he felt he was not mentally prepared to handle the pressures and uncertainties of the England setup. He was concerned that if he could not commit fully to the pre-season, it might undermine his performance and readiness for selection. This uncertainty played a significant role in his decision to focus on his new chapter with Montpellier rather than face the risk of not making the cut for England.
Looking back on his time with England, Simmonds’ experience was marked by inconsistent selection and an uneasy relationship with former head coach Eddie Jones. Despite impressive performances with Exeter Chiefs and earning recognition as the European Player of the Year, Simmonds often found himself sidelined by Jones. This pattern contributed to his feelings of not being valued and eventually led to his decision to leave England behind.
As Simmonds continues his career with Montpellier, where he has a contract extending for at least another year, he remains open to the possibility of returning to international rugby but acknowledges that the likelihood is slim. For now, he is focused on enjoying his time in France, raising his family, and contributing to his new club.