"They are the two in-form 10s at the moment and they are huge for both teams" - Stuart Hogg

Exeter Chiefs fullback Stuart Hogg has said the battle between Joe Simmonds and Finn Russell could prove critical when his side take on Racing 92 in Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup final. 

Russell was nominated for the EPCR European Player of the Year while Joe Simmonds has played a crucial role in guiding Exeter to the final. 

The pair have won the praise of Stuart Hogg describing his fellow Scottish international as an “unbelievable talent” in the Sunday Times. 

“Finn is an unbelievable talent, at this moment one of the best 10s in the world,” said the 28-year-old. “And next week, look at it — it is Joe Simmonds against Finn Russell. They are the two in-form 10s at the moment and they are huge for both teams. Finn has the ability to change the game in a heartbeat. 

“If he makes a mistake he gets on with his next job and it doesn’t faze him at all, which really quite bugs me when I’m playing alongside him — sometimes you think he doesn’t care where truly, deep down, he really does.  

“You just ask him to do his next job, just a simple basic skill but he’ll say, ‘Stuff that,’ and chuck a 30-yard pass out the back door and it will be perfect.

“They have a game very similar to ourselves: a forward pack that will be looking for dominance and a backline that want to get the ball in hand and express their talents.  

“It is going to be one hell of a game and I truly believe we can win the trophy. We are also well managed, we have a large squad and we have 50-odd boys who are more than capable of pulling on the jersey for Exeter Chiefs and doing a job.”