No one has scored more than 17 tries in the top flight since 1998 but Exeter’s No 8 could be about to enter the record books
One of the most sought-after achievements in club rugby celebrated its 23rd birthday this week. On 17 May 1998 the diminutive but distinctly rapid Richmond winger Dominic Chapman touched down twice at Sale’s Heywood Road to extend his try-scoring tally for the season to 17 in 22 Premiership games. It has since been equalled by Wasps’ Christian Wade in 2016-17 but never overtaken.
Now, at long last, Chapman’s peak could soon be eclipsed. Exeter’s Sam Simmonds has scored 16 tries in 17 league matches with four regular season rounds left. He and his team face London Irish on Tuesday evening and the last time the flying Chief faced the Exiles, in February, he touched down twice: a similar return at Brentford and Chapman’s claim to fame will finally need some updating.
Related: Opportunities beckon as Eddie Jones ponders options for summer Tests
Continue reading...