Exeter’s Joe Simmonds says he desires to maneuver on from some poor seasons.
Simmonds, 25, captained the Chiefs to a Premiership and European double in 2020, however noticed Exeter end a disappointing seventh final season.
“Up to now couple of years I’ve most likely let myself down a bit bit with how I have been performing,” Simmonds informed BBC Sport.
“I sort of simply need to put no matter I’ve achieved behind me and simply transfer on and grow to be this new participant.”
With accidents to Stuart Hogg and Josh Hodge, Simmonds has began at full-back within the opening two league video games this season – a place the fly-half performed simply as soon as all final time period.
However a attempt at Worcester final week and an assured efficiency in opposition to Leicester – bar a mistake early within the second half which led to a attempt – drew reward from his coaches as a re-invigorated Exeter facet look to have re-captured the shape that took them to 6 consecutive Premiership finals.
Simmonds was the main target for a lot of Exeter’s profitable finish to the Covid-19 delayed season in 2020.
His faultless kicking noticed his facet beat Wasps for the home title, whereas his late penalty ensured victory over Racing 92 in a European ultimate that additionally earned him an MBE.
However that success affected Simmonds, the youthful brother of England ahead Sam, within the weeks and months after the victories.
“I most likely put an excessive amount of strain on myself coming off the again of that,” he mentioned.
“I feel it is sort of regular, you most likely would get that strain, however trying again on it, it most likely hindered me a bit bit.
“However for me, now I am simply having fun with my rugby. I have been enjoying rugby from such a younger age, it is simply sport and I’ve simply received to carry out week in, week out. I attempt to simply get pleasure from my rugby now greater than fear about issues.”
The current non permanent transfer to full-back has allowed Simmonds to indicate off his abilities with the ball in hand – as displayed by his attempt early in opposition to Worcester on Sunday.
“I’ve performed a number of instances there in the previous couple of years, however I am having fun with it, I am getting the ball within the fingers a bit bit extra in house,” he added.
“We have modified it round a bit with how we assault at Exeter, we had a protracted pre-season with loads of altering.
“So for me, if I play at 10 or full-back, it’s extremely comparable positions we get into, and no matter place I get put into I attempt to do my greatest, however I do really feel like this new form helps my sport for the time being.”
