Horstmann set for French test

Kai Horstmann believes "everything is open" for Exeter Chiefs as they target a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

The Chiefs travel to France to face Bordeaux-Begles in a fiercely contested Pool 2 knowing a win would send them home to Sandy Park to face the Ospreys with a last eight place on the line.

Rob Baxter's men have two wins and two defeats from their four games so far and are sitting four points behind leaders Clermont Auvergne.

Concluding the pool stage with back-to-back wins would give the Chiefs a great chance of securing at least a best runners-up spot and they can take confidence from a fine win over Bordeaux earlier in the competition.

With the Chiefs also flying high in the Aviva Premiership, confidence is high and flanker Horstmann is looking forward to what could be a defining period in their season and one which they struggled to handle 12 months ago.

"We are getting better and better at resetting each week and adapting to the different competitions," he said. "This was a period of the season where we came unstuck a bit last season but we are constantly learning.

"We have strong characters in the squad. This is a big journey for us but we are going in the right direction. There is no respite but it is exciting to go into a new situation. Everything is open for us and that is a good place to be for the squad. I still get excited about these games, you have to love what you do.

"I enjoy coming to work every day, there is plenty out there for us as a team until the end of the season so let's go out there and get it."

But the Chiefs will be wary of a lively Bordeaux side, who saw off the Ospreys in a thrilling encounter last month.