Steenson ready for Tigers test

By Mark Stevens

Gareth Steenson says Exeter Chiefs must be ready to face their toughest test of the season so far when Leicester Tigers arrive at Sandy Park this weekend.

Although the third-placed Chiefs are themselves flying high in the Aviva Premiership, Saturday’s opponents are a further rung up the league ladder having collected victories in all three of their top flight games so far this season.

It’s been an impressive start to the new campaign for Richard Cockerill’s side, who have already accounted for London Irish, Harlequins and Wasps - and now they are hoping to add the scalp of the Chiefs to their list on Saturday (5:30pm).

And the Exeter playmaker is aware of the threat the Tigers pose, stating: “Leicester is always a tough game, they come with a big set-piece game and are strong up front with some devastating runners in the backline as well, who are bang on form.”

But whilst the Dungannon-born fly-half highlights his rivals, the focus within the Chiefs camp is more focused on their own game plan which, it has to be said, has improved by the week.

Steenson collected his first Premiership try in his side’s recent home win over London Irish - and he was at the heart of Exeter’s impressive display in the North East last weekend when they ran in six tries to sink lowly Newcastle Falcons.

He added: “It’s been pretty positive, especially the last couple of weeks. I am pleased I have played as many minutes as I have and that’s all you really want to do as a player, you want to play to the best of your ability and for me, it’s been going pretty well.

“I got my first try at Sandy Park in the Premiership, which was pleasing because it took a while, so I am pleased with how things are going, but very aware that if you’re not performing one week, you won’t be playing the next week, so it’s very much a case of taking it as it comes on a week-by-week basis.”

As the spearhead of the Chiefs attack for a number of years now, the 31-year-old admits it’s great to have so many options at his disposal, including the link-up he has with England international Henry Slade.

Slade was part of Stuart Lancaster's 31-man squad for England's ill-fated Rugby World Cup campaign which saw them fail to make the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

The Plymouth-born 22-year-old only featured in England's 60-3 thrashing of Uruguay and scored a try in the dead rubber, but he did spend months training with the squad.

Slade (pictured) has slotted back into the centre since his return to the Chiefs and Steenson feels his team-mate has benefited hugely from his World Cup experience.

"With Sladey being away at the World Cup, he has probably picked up a lot more and learned a lot of lessons off other fellows in that position," continued Steenson. "He has definitely brought a lot back in his game and it has transformed him – we just have to try and keep up with it.

"It has made me better too and you have to be better. If you want to progress as a club, everyone has to improve year on year."

Last season saw Steenson start the campaign at fly-half while Slade featured at outside centre. But with Jack Nowell gradually shifting from the wing into the centre, Slade was moved to the fly-half position at Steenson's expense.

This season, however, head coach Rob Baxter has reverted to the same formula which he employed for the early part of last season, the Steenson/Slade combination appears to be working favourably for the Devon club.

He said: "The combination is working well at the minute but we have a lot of other guys to come through too. Henry has been away and had a full season of playing at both 13 and 10, so he brings a lot of the ability that a 10 has.

"The chat that he comes with is very impressive and it makes life a lot easier to know that you have another kicking option outside you and have another guy who can play at 10 on the field.

"We are pleased with how things are going but we are aware that if you don't perform one week you won't be performing the following week so it is just very much take it as it comes on a week-to-week basis."