Steenson: Will captain Chiefs in Italy

The Chiefs should encounter few problems against Cavalieri Prato, opponents they crushed 68-0 at Sandy Park two months ago.

And if Perpignan defeat Newport Gwent Dragons in France on Saturday, they will head to Devon next week with a quarter-final place available for the victors.

"Perpignan will be a big game, but if we get too far ahead of ourselves then that is when we are going to fall over," Exeter assistant coach Ali Hepher said.

"This weekend will be tough. Any Italian side at home is a different kettle of fish to when they travel away, so we have to be fully prepared and perform to our maximum."

Exeter show 12 changes from the side that won away against Aviva Premiership relegation favourites Newcastle last weekend, with only forward trio Hoani Tui, Aly Muldowney and James Phillips remaining in a team captained by fly-half Gareth Steenson.

"For sure, the club has moved on quite a lot these last couple of years," Hepher added.

"Two years ago, it was league fixtures week in, week out, but now we get that mix of say three weeks of Premiership action, two weeks' Amlin, two weeks' LV= Cup and then back into the Premiership again.

"That kind of makes things exciting for the guys and keeps the enthusiasm going within the squad."