Gareth Steenson targets big month ahead
Just how far Exeter Chiefs have come in recent times can be underlined with a quick glance at their fixture list for the next month, so says star fly-half Gareth Steenson.
With Saracens first up tomorrow at Sandy Park (3pm), the Devon club will then embark on a run of games which sees them face Bath (away) in the Premiership; champions Toulon (home and away) in the Heineken Cup; before further top flight encounters with Newcastle Falcons (home) and Harlequins (away).
However, according to Irishman Steenson – now in his fifth year with the Chiefs – it’s a period in time that he and his team-mates are clearly relishing.
“It is pretty special when you look at it, isn’t it?” said Steenson. “It is so easy to get yourself up for these games. We’ve worked hard to get those sort of matches. “It will be a great run-in to Christmas and the guys are really looking forward to it – even beyond Christmas as well.
“We have earned the right to be there and now that we’re there, we want to push on and achieve more. “We should treat ourselves as a top side. We’re in the top four in the Premiership and top of our Heineken Cup group. It is not easy to do that.
“We’re doing well at the minute but we’re well aware over the next couple of weeks that Bath and Saracens are top sides and then we’ve got Toulon as well – it’s something to really look forward to.”
Having been rested for the past fortnight whilst the Chiefs went about their business in the LV= Cup, the Dungannon-born playmaker will return to competitive action this weekend for the visit of the Premiership leaders.
Saracens, as Steenson well knows, are a quality outfit and with their array of international stars all back in the fold following their recent exploits in the Autumn internationals, the gifted No.10 knows Exeter will need to be on top form if they are to maintain their own place within the top four.
“It is a big test,” he said. “They are the top team in the league and it is going to be a massive test of the lads. “Obviously some of us have been able to recharge the batteries, have some down time and get away from the club. Although having a couple of weeks off has been good, we are aware we have to be straight back on it.
“You get that excitement when you come back and I think you’ll see that from all the guys. We will all be ready to run around against a top team – it’s a great way to get back into it. Saracens are a tough side, they are not top of the league for nothing.
“They are a physical team and if you don’t bring that side of it as well, you’re in for a long afternoon. They have threats right across the park but they have a lot of England internationals in there.
“First and foremost, they are very disciplined and have a great kicking game. Up front they are physical but they have other guys with great footwork in the backs. They have a lot of creativity in their half-backs as well.
“We want these big teams coming down, we haven’t really performed that well against teams in the top four yet. It is already something the guys are focusing on ahead of this weekend.”
And Steenson hopes a bumper Sandy Park crowd can do their bit to inspire the Chiefs and create an intimidating atmosphere for the opposition.
He added: “It doesn’t matter who comes to Sandy Park. We have to give the crowd something to shout about and hopefully we can get a great atmosphere here. Opposition teams have told us it is a very daunting place to come and play and we want plenty of noise here again this weekend.”
