The rise of Exeter: From west country bumpkins to a shot at immortality

Exeter stand on the cusp of the 'double-double'

Exeter Chiefs’ Gareth Steenson with the Gallagher Premiership trophy and the European Champions Cup after their victory over Wasps in the Gallagher Premiership final at Twickenham last October. Picture: David Rogers/Getty

Gareth Steenson will never forget Exeter Chiefs’ first game in the Heineken Champions Cup. He led the newcomers out at the RDS on October 13, 2012, wondering what it would be like to play against the reigning European champions.

As a proud man of Ulster, the former Ireland U19 and U21 outside half had a small insight into how good the Leinster players were, but knew they would know little about the Chiefs. How could they, the west country bumpkins were still playing in the English Championship when Leinster won the first of their now four Champions Cup crowns.