GARETH: WE JUST CANNOT FALL AT FINAL HURDLES
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EXETER CHIEFS’ Gareth Steenson has warned they could end up “the most disappointed team in England” if they fall in their two massive finals.
The veteran fly-half is desperate to round off his 12-year Sandy Park love affair with both the European and Premiership titles. It would be a dream sign off for the 36-year-old Irishman who is the club’s record points scorer.
He is preparing to hang up his boots and then concentrate on coaching.
First he wants to help Chiefs defeat Racing 92 on Saturday to become European champs, and then win the domestic final shoot-out with Wasps at Twickenham seven days later.
Steenson, who helped Exeter thrash Bath in their play-off semi, insists: “We could be sitting here in two weeks’ time with nothing and be the most disappointed team in England. So the two finals are massive for us.
“We have never won the European Cup so the clash with Racing is probably the biggest game the club has ever faced. The emotional levels should be there, so we have to show up.
“If we go out on Saturday and put in a Chiefs’ performance that gives us the best chance of winning the match we will be fine.
“It’s funny, our first Heineken Cup final is in Bristol 10 years after coming up from the Championship. There aren’t many of us left that were there on that day.
“There is a real excitement around the club now to be in two finals. To give ourselves a shot of achieving everything we set out to do is incredible.”