Eddie Jones may not rate him but bookmakers Betfair believe Exeter Chiefs’ No.8 Sam Simmonds has a good shout of playing for the Lions this summer.
Simmonds took his tally of tries for the season to a phenomenal 13 with a brace in last Saturday’s win over Bath, and is on course to smash the Premiership’s individual all-time record currently held by Dominic Chapman and Christian Wade.
The 26-year-old won the last of his seven England caps under Jones two years ago and has consistently been overlooked ever since despite his stunning club form.
But Lions boss Warren Gatland can’t have failed to have been impressed by Simmonds’ performance at The Rec which showed he has the work-rate and power to match his speed.
Whilst Simmonds is 2/1 to be a Lions ‘bolter’, there are plenty of other players ahead of him in the betting.
Bookmakers Betfair have 30 players odds-on to make the squad this summer, but Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is not included.
Owen Farrell is one of a 13-strong contingent of England players and is the shortest price of the lot at 1/20.
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