Uncapped former England wonderkind Joe Simmonds will depart Exeter Chiefs this summer to move to the Top 14.
Writing his list in 2020, McGeechan had this to say about playmaker.
He wrote in the Telegraph: “Probably the closest of the English players on this list to an international call-up. Simmonds has quietly become an excellent fly-half with consistently good decision making and plays well under pressure.
“His kicking is incredibly accurate – there was a stage before Christmas when he was 26/26 in all competitions – and he has a great coaching group around him, with Rob Baxter and Ali Hepher, who I know well and really rate from our Northampton days.”
However, now aged 26, and with a move to Pau agreed this summer it seems very unlikely at this stag that Simmonds will ever win a cap.
According to Midi Olympique, he comes to replace Zack Henry, leaving for the Stade Français. Former England and Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson has also signed contract extension with Pau.
Having captained Exeter to a Premiership and Champions Cup double a few years ago, there’s probably an argument to suggest he’s one of the best players to never win a cap.
That double triumph was rewarded on an even higher scale when Joe Simmonds was given an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.