Veteran Wallabies lock Rob Simmons is set to form an all-Australian second row at London Irish after signing with the UK club.
The Waratahs skipper will join former Melbourne Test lock Adam Coleman, and reunite at the club with his ex-NSW teammates, prop Sekope Kepu, halfback Nick Phipps and centre Curtis Rona.
Former league star and ex-Ireland rugby assistant Les Kiss is the head coach of London Irish.
The 31-year-old Simmons, who won his 100th Test cap against Georgia at the World Cup last October, has spent the last two seasons playing for the Waratahs.
He’s expected to arrive at the premiership club in October.
It’s a blow for Australian rugby, who have a dearth of experience in the position with other top-shelf locks Rory Arnold and Izack Rodda also leaving to play abroad.
Lara
Guest
Honest in play, good team player . Still think you are good enough to keep playing for the Wallabies . All the best.
AJ
Guest
Good post. I suspect that is the quality of the man.
AJ
Guest
Not far from Sunnybank Dragons colours either.
rebel
Roar Guru
Sure
Alex
Guest
It's probably the right timing for him to go. He's played 100 tests, he wasn't being picked for Australia anymore. He's got a family now and the travel load will be reduced in Europe. Fair play to him. Despite the flack that he's copped over the years he's still been a great servant to Australian rugby. All the best to him.
Gav
Guest
Skelton Coleman Pyle Timani Douglas Arnold x 2 Carter Jones Enever Phillip The above were discarded by Clown or left because they would not get a look in because of the Clown.Simmons was dropped from the 23 in 2016 3 times because the Clown said he was not enjoying his rugby when a Qld Red. When becoming a tah never dropped by the Clown.
jeznez
Roar Guru
:laughing: Fair enough.
Banjo Kelly
Roar Rookie
Thanks Rob Simmons and thanks to those making positive comments about his contribution. Locks generally come in two types, good line out men and good scrummagers. Simmons Is both. He has forgotten more about lineouts than the rest of current locks know, collectively! Historically some out greats were incomplete players....Campese, Poidevin. KEY jobs are called that for a reason.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Nah. I meant someone else entirely. Maybe I was drunk? Yeah. I was drunk!
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
It’s one of 2 comps in the world that are actually playing. I’m not sure those French and English millionaires will be paying blokes to sit down in Europe, which will be the case if those numbers don’t turn around fast. Hard to see that happening as the NH heads into winter. I live in Europe and think they’re all kidding themselves over here.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I meant Coleman. I’ve given myself 10 in the bin for that effort.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I defer. Now you mention it, I seem to recall the fanfare associated with the occasion. Bloody Wikipedia
TJ
Guest
Piccione is a cowboy and nothing more. He is a stain on Australian sport. He only cares about his back pocket. These young athletes are just pawns for him to make some cash. Look at all the good talent in Japan he has put there to purely make him some money.
Barnaby Chivers
Guest
This is the real issue with Australian rugby. The highest payed players in the English premiership are second row players. We can not compete at any level on the pay offered overseas and playing for the wallabies just is not enough.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Apparently he wanted to do it last year under the old coach. We also had guys like Fitz wanting to retire and being asked to stay on. We were seriously crook under Gibson/Hore. Seeing some green shoots under Penney and Doorn.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Quick make a law restricting the locks from leaving Australia :shocked:
Guess
Roar Rookie
Gotta have Gittoe law in the first place
Guess
Roar Rookie
Well I wonder if hooper decided to step down as a captain exactly because he knew that it was going to be a mess with new kids and a coach :silly:
Guess
Roar Rookie
Hannigan.. I think lack of good leadership is one of the reasons they are struggling. With selection of Simo and Beale as C and VC it already was apparent that the tahs are short on leadership. And now, when both have decided to leave it’s going to be even a bigger gap.
rebel
Roar Guru
Simmons Rodda Skelton Coleman Pyle Timani Douglas Arnold x 2 Carter Jones Enever Phillip Can the last lock to leave turn out the lights.