Steeno targets Euro scalp

By Mark Stevens

Gareth Steenson wants to use the momentum gained in recent weeks as the ideal springboard for Exeter Chiefs to record their first-ever success in the Heineken Cup this weekend.

Victorious in their last five competitive fixtures, the Devon club head to Wales on Saturday (1.35pm) looking to continue their winning streak against the Scarlets.

With both clubs yet to register a win in Europe's top cup competition so far this season, the need to get up and running is clearly vital if they are to stand any chance of progressing past Pool 5 rivals Leinster and Clermont Auvergne.

Fly-half Steenson knows the importance of the encounter, but insists the Chiefs will not be putting any undue pressure on themselves in a bid to claim their first scalp.

"It's a big game, especially after the first two games we've had," said the Irishman. "But we're just looking to continue the momentum of the last few weeks. It's a different competition and if we want to progress in any way, we know we realistically have to go up there and get a result.

"That said, we're not going to put too much pressure on ourselves. We just want to keep our momentum going and build on what we have achieved recently. Sometimes you have to remember it's still only our third Heineken Cup game as a club, so it's another learning experience for us and another chance to play another top team."

The Chiefs, however, will head to the Parc Y Scarlets brimming with confidence after following up their first away win in the Premiership a fortnight ago with a 30-23 home success over London Wasps last Saturday.

"The mood in the camp is fantastic," explained the Exeter No.10. "We're on a good run right now, especially getting those two back-to-back wins in the Premiership, but we know we can't afford to let our standards slip.

"Getting that first away win in the Premiership [against Irish] helped get that monkey off our backs, so now we're chasing hard to get that first win in the Heineken Cup."

Overcoming the Scarlets, though, will be no easy task and Steenson says he and his team-mates must use the experience gained in the earlier rounds against defending champions Leinster and French giants Clermont Auvergne to help them in their latest cause.

"The trip to Dublin was fantastic, especially playing against the current champions," said Steenson. "Yes, we were a little disappointed to get so close, but had we played in the competition before I think we may have got a different result as we were a little bit naive at times.

"As for the result against Clermont, I think you need to put in perspective a little. They put most of their points on us when we had a centre playing at nine and a prop playing at six. A side of their quality will always make the most of those kinds of mismatches, so we didn't worry too much about the scoreline and instead we took lots of positives out of the game."

Tickets for our home clash with the Scarlets are currently available either online by clicking here or through the Trading Post, which is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.