Joe Simmonds
Joe Simmonds MBE (born 19 December 1996) is an English rugby union fly-half who plays for Section Paloise (Pau) in France’s Top 14. He used to captain Exeter Chiefs before moving to Pau in 2023. He grew up in Teignmouth, Devon, where his father and uncle work in the fishing industry. His brother Sam Simmonds also plays rugby, and the two brothers attended the Rugby Academy at Ivybridge Community College.
Simmonds made his Exeter Chiefs debut in March 2018 against Saracens, earning man of the match. The following week he kicked the winning penalty to help Exeter reach the Anglo-Welsh Cup final, which Exeter won 28–11 against Bath. He later captained Exeter in the 2020 European Rugby Champions Cup final, becoming the youngest captain to lead a team to European Cup victory and earning Star of the Match with a perfect kicking display. He was the top points scorer in the 2019–20 Champions Cup.
In May 2023, Simmonds signed for Pau on a two-year contract after financial changes in the Premiership led to players leaving Exeter. He quickly became Pau’s starting fly-half, adapting well to life in France and a faster, less rigid style of play. In his first Top 14 season he played 24 games (23 starts) and scored 246 points, making him the league’s top points scorer and the most-used player by minutes.
His 2024–25 season saw him remain a key playmaker for Pau, and in September 2024 he extended his contract with the club until 2028. On matchday 19 of that season he kicked a late drop goal to beat Montpellier 40–38, helping Pau stay in the race for a top-six finish.
Internationally, Simmonds represented England at the under-20 level in 2016, earning two caps.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 17:29 (CET).