Steenson keen to bounce back

By Mark Stevens

Gareth Steenson says Exeter Chiefs are determined to get their Champions Cup campaign back on track with victory over visiting Bordeaux-Begles this Saturday (7:45pm).

Back in Europe’s top club competition this term after a year’s absence, the Devon club suffered Round One misery last Sunday as they went down to the Ospreys 25-13 at the Liberty Stadium.

Welsh international Dan Biggar did much of the damage as he slotted 20 points for the Welsh region, alongside a late try by former Josh Matavesi. In reply, Steenson converted James Short’s first half score, as well as adding two penalties, but it was never enough to secure any reward for the Aviva Premiership club.

Back on home soil, the Irish playmaker says the Chiefs must make use of familiar surroundings against their French rivals, who themselves have yet to start their European campaign after their scheduled home game with Clermont-Auvergne in Pool Two was postponed last weekend due to the tragic events in Paris.

Looking ahead to the contest, fly-half Steenson said: "This weekend we have a great opportunity to put things right. We've started well here at Sandy Park this season and at home we'll always fancy our chances against whoever we are playing.

"I know to have Champions Cup rugby back here has excited a lot of people and we're no different as players.

"Having come unstuck last week, it's put more pressure on us and has meant this game is probably a 'must-win', but these are the challenges you want as players and it's up to us now to rise to the challenge."

Now into their sixth year of European competition, Rob Baxter’s side have yet to come Bordeaux-Begles in any form, but they have come up against top French opponents such as Clermont-Auvergne, RC Toulon, Stade Francais, Montpellier, Bourgoin and Perpignan in recent times.

"We've never played Bordeaux before, but we've had plenty of experience from playing other French sides in the past," said the 31-year-old back. "You know they'll offer something different to what you face in the Premiership, and with them not having played last week due to the terrible events in Paris, they'll be chomping at the bit to get started this weekend.

"As I said, this is a great opportunity for us to get back on track, so hopefully we can take that chance and put ourselves back in line for what will be two very tough games against Clermont-Auvergne next month."