Rugby-Simmonds sets new Premiership try-scoring record

(Reuters) - Exeter's back row forward Sam Simmonds scored a hat-trick in their 31-12 win at London Irish to break the Premiership try-scoring record for a season as he took his tally to 19 on Tuesday.

Simmonds grounded the ball on seven minutes to match the mark set by Dominic Chapman in 1998 and equalled by fellow winger Christian Wade in 2017.

The British and Irish Lions number eight went over from close range 15 minutes later before adding a third later on.

"I turned up at Exeter at 18 not really knowing what position I wanted to play," Simmonds, who has not featured for England since March 2018, told BT Sport.

"They've allowed me to be me and score tries and excel as a player."

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)