England International Turns Out for Old Priorians Second XV

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Game lost despite try from Joe Simpson

Another career highlight for Joe Simpson as he scores for Old Priorians. Picture: Old Priorians

February 22, 2023

Just a short time on from his retirement from the professional game, Joe Simpson made a return to rugby in Perivale this Saturday (19 February) turning out for Old Priorians Seconds.

The team play on the St. Benedict’s sports ground where the former England international played his school rugby and he was rejoining many of his friends from those days as well as his brother Michael.

After leaving the school, he went on to have a 13-year career with Wasps appearing for them 230 times during the period when they were based down the road in Acton. He subsequently played in the Premiership for Gloucester, Sale, Bath and Saracens and his last game in the Premiership was in December.

Joe represented England at a number of levels including at Sevens but only received one full cap for a substitute appearance during the 2011 World Cup. It is generally accepted that an untimely injury at the height of his playing powers deprived him of more caps.

He certainly didn’t consider playing in the Middlesex Merit Table Division 1 match against London Sussex to be beneath him.

Before the game he said, 'It's great to be back playing at Perivale - St Benedict's was a big part of my life and I'm looking forward to having a run out with some of the lads I've grown up with.'

2nd XV manager and Club Secretary, Mark Machado, commented, “A regular face round Perivale over the years, it's brilliant that only weeks after retiring from the professional game Joe is getting his boots back on.

“Even though Joe has torn it up in the Premiership, in Europe and for England, critics have always questioned if he could cut it in the Middlesex Merit Tables in mid-February and if I know anything about the Simpson family, it's that they never back down from a challenge.

“I look forward to taking to the pitch with Joe soon.”

Old Priorians chose to play their star at full back rather than in his more accustomed position of scrum half and the move looked to have played off when he scored the home side’s second try.

However, London Sussex struck back intercepting a pass intended for him to take a first half lead. The dominance up front of Old Priorians was nullified when the game went to uncontested scrims.

They retained their lead but Old Priorians could have snatched a draw had they elected to kick a late penalty. Instead they went for the win and, in this instance, fortune did not favour the brave.

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