Steenson gives fans a boost as he takes part in the #Makethatcall campaign

Exeter stand-off Gareth Steenson is facing the challenges many people are experiencing in lockdown.

His wife is a GP, and he has a relatively new business venture that has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. But the 36-year-old is determined to give others a boost in these difficult times by ringing up complete strangers – who are Exeter fans – to have a chat.

“There is a lot of negativity around and this gives people a boost,” said Steenson, who has been involved in the #Makethatcall campaign. “It made me feel better too. I remember when I was young and met my sporting heroes and the excitement of seeing and speaking to them.

“To sit and have a conversation with someone is important. Everyone should do it.”

Steenson admits it was a worry when his wife, Karen, returned to the doctors’ surgery in Exmouth to work.

He said: “She’s OK, she’s in a surgery but it’s still a worry. She was nervous at the start because there was a lot of unknown.

“I ask her how the day was but we don’t watch the news. We try to focus on what we can do. She’s staying well and hopefully that will continue.”

Steenson has a popular bar in Exeter called The Stand Off.

Five full-time staff have been furloughed, but he is very optimistic about its future.

He said: “It’s a concern but we will not know until we are out of this. When we can open we will have things in place and will follow any rules. I’m sure people will still want to come out.”

Wasps devised the #Makethatcall campaign and other

Premiership clubs have been taking part with players calling NHS staff, other key workers, and vulnerable people.

“I’ve spoken to a few people so far,” said Steenson. “A lady and her son who had just got a new puppy and how they train their new little dog. It was nice to speak to people and see what they were doing.”