Contest For No.10 Will Help Keep Chiefs At The Top Says Steenson

EXETER hero Gareth Steenson has revealed he is fighting for a new contract just months after leading the Devon outfit to their greatest-ever achievement.

- Neale Harvey

Steenson, 33, has been the play making heartbeat of Exeter’s astonishing rise since joining the club in 2008 from the Cornish Pirates.

He kicked the goals that won promotion from the Championship against Bristol in 2010, before repeating the trick in dramatic circumstances against Wasps at Twickenham to secure Exeter’s maiden Premiership title in May.

However, as he heads into a tenth season at Sandy Park after celebrating the start of his testimonial year yesterday with a match watched by 9,000, Dungannon-born Steenson explained why he is once again ready to face down England’s Henry Slade and 20-year-old academy starlet Joe Simmonds for the No.10 jersey as he seeks an extended stay.

Steenson told The Rugby Paper: “I’ve been very fortunate to still be going and I’m feeling pretty good. The last few years have been fantastic for me personally and I’ve really enjoyed it, but I’ve only got one season left and I’m not thinking of hanging up my boots.

“I’m ready to keep battling with Henry because if you’re expecting only one guy to be playing each weekend, you’re getting things wrong with your succession planning. You need to ensure people are pushing each other in training and I don’t think it will just be between myself and Henry either this season by any stretch of the imagination.