Steeno relishes big occasion

The fixture list gods have not been kind to Exeter Chiefs at the start of this season but rather than bemoan their bad luck fly-half Gareth Steenson insists there has never been a better buzz around Sandy Park.

The Westcountry outfit host defending Aviva Premiership champions Harlequins this weekend, hot on the heels of a win against Saracens and a subsequent defeat to fellow heavyweights Leicester Tigers last time out.

However, things do not get any easier for Rob Baxter's men after their Quins clash with their debut Heineken Cup campaign set to get underway in Dublin against European champions Leinster.

But for Steenson, who has featured in four of the Chiefs' five Aviva Premiership games so far this season, the challenge is far from a daunting one.

"We as a club have worked extremely hard to get ourselves into this position and we are relishing the challenge," he said. "In our first season it was about the Premiership and survival, last year we had a great run in the Amlin and now the Heineken Cup is upon us. These are the sorts of games we want to be involved in. Last time out against Leicester we were a bit disappointed with how the game went.

"We felt that if a few things had gone a little bit differently that game could have been a whole lot closer, but after beating Saracens and with Quins up next it's a mark of how far this side has come in what you have to remember is only our third year in the Premiership. We will go into the Quins game proud of our home record and confident that we can cause an upset that will set us up perfectly for the European games that are to come."

The 28-year-old Steenson has found himself playing second fiddle to Ignacio Mieres so far this season with four appearances off the bench to show for his campaign.

Although the former Cornish Pirate knows that strength in depth will be key for the Chiefs as they attempt to challenge on multiple fronts and is more than happy to wait his turn.

"It's not just at my position, all over the pitch there is competition for places and that makes us a much better team," he added. "Nacho (Mieres) has been playing really well so far this season and it will be a case of taking any chance that comes my way to show the coaches what I can do. But with Europe and the Premiership both being so intense, not to mention the way we train, there could always be a chance around the corner."