Hunter highlights home draw importance for Exeter

The 2020 winners climbed into second place in Pool A thanks to a 40-3 home drubbing of Castres Olympique in their final pool game and now host Montpellier Hérault Rugby in the first of the knockout stages.

“It is really important to get that home draw,” Hunter said. “History would say that being at home in this competition is an important thing. From here on in, you have just got to win the next game.

“We are passionate about Europe – it is such an amazing competition. We love Europe and we want to stay in it for as long as we can.”

Despite the eventual margin of victory at Sandy Park last Saturday, Hunter pointed out the victory wasn’t “straightforward”.

“It was a very erratic first half from both sides, but I am very pleased with the way we stuck at it, shook ourselves off and finished with a flourish,” he said.