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by | Dec 19, 2023 | Dahlia

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Gareth Steenson (born 5 April 1984) is an Irish former rugby union player. He played as a fly-half.

Playing career

Early years

Steenson, who is from Ulster, did not get opportunities with his home province with Ulster Rugby in part because Ireland international David Humphreys was the starting flyhalf.[1] Steenson left Ireland to play for the Rotherham Titans.

Exeter

Steenson played a massive part in the final leg of the 2009–10 Championship final against Bristol, scoring 24 points and helping Exeter Chiefs win 29–10 (38–16 including the first leg).[2][3] Steenson burst into the scene in England at his previous club, Cornish Pirates, scoring 264 points in his first season (30 games).

Steenson narrowly missed out on the golden boot by one point to Premiership rival Freddie Burns at the 2012–13 Premiership awards.[4] He won the golden boot in the 2016 Premiership awards.[5] Steenson also helped Exeter Chiefs reach the 2016 Premiership Rugby final. The following year he started the final and scored two conversions and three penalties, including the winning points, as Exeter Chiefs defeated Wasps to be crowned champions of the 2016-17 English Premiership.[6]

International

Steenson played for the Ireland under-19 team and the under-21 team.

Retirement

Steenson joined Plymouth Albion's coaching team ahead of the 2019–20 season as an assistant coach, focusing on their attack. The role initially saw him remain an Exeter player,[7] but he retired from playing at the conclusion of the 2019–20 season.[8]

He was nominated for the Freedom of the City of Exeter, and his nomination was unanimously approved by the Exeter City Council on 15 December 2020.[9][10] [11] The Honour was formally presented to him in a ceremony at the Exeter Guildhall on 7 October 2021.[12]

Honours

Exeter Chiefs

Outside rugby

As of October 2018, Steenson is planning to open an Irish bar named The Stand-Off in the centre of Exeter with fellow rugby footballer Carl Rimmer.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Gareth Steenson's parents reacted so superbly when he was told to 'find another job'".
  2. ^ "Fly-half Gareth Steenson praises Exeter's forwards". BBC Sport. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  3. ^ "Exeter secure Premiership dream". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Perry, Lindsay-Hague and Burns rewarded at Aviva Premiership Awards". Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Gareth Steenson: Exeter Chiefs fly-half's perseverance praised by boss Rob Baxter". BBC. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  6. ^ "Premiership final: Wasps 20-23 Exeter Chiefs (aet)". BBC Sport. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  7. ^ "Gareth Steenson: Exeter Chiefs star to assist Plymouth Albion's coaching staff". BBC Sport. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  8. ^ "Steeno agrees contract extension". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Chiefs legend Gareth Steenson nominated for Freedom of the City of Exeter". news.exeter.gov.uk.
  10. ^ Clark, Daniel (25 November 2020). "Chiefs legend Gareth Steenson set to get Freedom of the City". DevonLive.
  11. ^ Clark, Daniel (17 December 2020). "Gareth Steenson granted Freedom of the City of Exeter". DevonLive.
  12. ^ "Exeter Chiefs legend Gareth Steenson granted Freedom of the City of Exeter". Exeter City Council. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  13. ^ Bray, Abbie (10 October 2018). "Further details revealed about Exeter's new Irish bar - and it's opening sooner than you might think". DevonLive.


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