Gonzo's glad to be back

Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency

It was a case of so near yet so far for Gonzalo Camacho on Argentinean duty, but the wing doesn't see why history should repeat itself in an Exeter Chiefs jersey this season.

Rob Baxter pulled off a coup for the 2011-12 Aviva Premiership season when he convinced Camacho to swap Harlequins and the Stoop for Sandy Park.

And the wing immediately started proving what a catch he was as he helped Exeter surprise much of the league and finish fifth in the table, narrowly missing out on a semi-final spot.

Last season's heroics mean that the Chiefs are enjoying a first-ever foray in the Heineken Cup - losing 9-6 to defending champions Leinster in their opener - but Camacho has had to watch on from the other side of the world as he ran out for Argentina in the Rugby Championship.

Despite finishing fourth there was plenty for Los Pumas to cheer as they celebrated the first chance to play regular high-level international rugby outside of the World Cup with a draw against South Africa and almost upsetting Australia on the Gold Coast.

And Camacho, who started all of his country's games, believes the future is bright - both internationally and domestically as he prepares to return to the rigours of the Aviva Premiership.

"The Rugby Championship is amazing, first of all for the nation and the country and it is a big step forward," he said. "We can grow, not only international rugby but local rugby as well with different projects they are doing looking forward to the Rugby Championship so it is pretty good.

"The profile probably will grow with more games at home, big games against the top three in the world. This will help to beat these teams. I don't know how close we are.

"I think we give a great impression. No one was confident with us to do what we did back at home, but I don't think it is going to be long until we can win one of those matches.

"But now it is good to be back with Exeter and I am looking forward to getting back out there again, my opportunity will come soon but I don't want to rush.

"It was pretty amazing last season. We had a big performance. We could have asked for a little bit more but we won't. We will be patient and see what happens this season.

"We had some pretty good results and finished fifth in the Aviva Premiership and now we are in the Heineken Cup this season and looking forward to that.

"We just have to go and try to do what we couldn't do last season. We played very well against Leinster. We have the skills to do it, the decision makers to do it and the squad to do it so I think why not?"

Camacho will be itching to return to action in a Chiefs shirt with the club so far enjoying a mixed bag of results - winning three and losing the same number in the Aviva Premiership.

And if he was worried about being forgotten while living it up in the southern hemisphere, then Camacho needn't have worried, being welcomed back with open arms.

"The good thing is I was here last season and I know the guys and the banter is quite good so that gives you a rush on the team and you can be the same guy you were last season," he added.

"Obviously you miss some of the opportunities to show what you can do with the club but it is good that the boys have been playing really well.

It is nice to be here, not only for the boys but for the supporters. They are amazing. The first day I came here they were saying hello wherever they could."