Sam Simmonds smashed the Premiership try-scoring record for a season as his hat-trick helped Exeter Chiefs to a 32-12 victory at London Irish.
The British and Irish Lions number eight took less than seven minutes to equal Christian Wade and Dominic Chapman’s mark of 17 tries.
He went in from close range 15 minutes later to set a new mark of 18 tries as Exeter went on to secure a try-scoring bonus point early in the second half.
Simmonds then rounded off his tally late on with the win helping Exeter return to second place in the Premiership..
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5 biggest names who AREN’T on Warren Gatland’s standby list
#1. Jonny May (England)
The wing’s form has dropped off a bit this year, but his absence will still come as a shock to many. He has a brilliant try-scoring record for England and is one of the best finishers around. However, a report in The Times suggests Gatland doesn’t see him as a brilliant player and sees him as more of a ‘speed’ merchant.
Reported Standby list: Jack Nowell (England), Jonny May (England), James Lowe (Ireland), Simon Zebo (Ireland), Hugo Keenan (Ireland), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
