Saracens star Sean Maitland looks ahead to this weekend's epic clash between second placed Exeter:

What is it like playing against your Lions teammates at Exeter?

Every team you playing against, you end up playing guys many times that you play with or against over the years.

There are small circles in rugby, so it doesn’t really matter if you’ve played with or against them when you go into a game.

What do you think are your opposition’s biggest strengths?

We all know that they love to use the ball and chuck the ball with speed. They play with pace and I think that’s great.

Their game plan has been working for them over the last five years.

They pride themselves on attack and we pride ourselves on defence. It’s going to be good.

They’ve got quality players all over the show, so it doesn’t really change how we approach it.

🖤❤️ Another unconvincing first-half from @Saracens, but their class always finds a way of shining through 🌤

For the second #ChampionsCup week running, Sean Maitland pinned his ears back and showed the covering defence a clean pair of heels 🚗💨 pic.twitter.com/rEKPNAl7xw

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 16, 2018

How will you be approaching this game tactically?

I think you prepare for any sort of game in the same way whoever you are playing. We look at analysis and how we want to attack and defend.

It’s going to be number one in the table against two away from home, it’s a great challenge for us.

They’ve gone through a bit of a dip, but they are a quality side and they will be up for it.

It’s going to be a good spectacle.

What Exeter player do you most admire and why?

We all know that they have got some good carriers in their back row, some big and skilful ball carriers.

They have also got some real experience, players like Gareth Steenson at number 10. He’s been quality for a number of years.

Henry Slade is their main man in the back line pulling the strings.

They’ve got a dangerous back three and I know that Jack Nowell is injured, but they’ve got a lot of talent even without him.

What are your ambitions/goals for your club this season?

We are always striving to get better and we have guys in this team that always strive to avoid complacency.

It’s been an amazing start. Our leaders in the team and the coaching staff always find ways to improve. We are on the right track.

We have got a tough away game in Europe against Lyon and the Exeter game will be a biggy.

Week in week out, we don’t look too far ahead, and we take it one game at a time.

What do you think has been the key to your team’s success this season so far?

Our coaches are really good at reinventing the side to make sure we get better.

There are a lot of things that people don’t see like our work off the ball, our kick chase, our speed off the line and our defence.

Those are always the things that we want to get better at.

Sean Maitland gets his 11th international try for @Scotlandteam ⚡️

The @Saracens winger now has five in a row at BT Murrayfield too 💪 #SCOvARG pic.twitter.com/poPJeg38Py

— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) November 24, 2018

What has been your biggest achievement this season?

I thought our first game against Glasgow was crucial for our season.

Our defence won the game, they were attacking us and made our defence work hard. We stopped the momentum and that’s the thing that we pride ourselves on.

It’s not making line breaks or scoring tries, it’s our defence and the things that people don’t see that we really pride ourselves on.

How big will this game be in deciding the Premiership?

The Exeter game is a big game. I am sure that the two teams will be in contention and we want to have momentum.

In knockout rugby we hope to have the home fixture when it comes to it.

It’s always a big game between Sarries and Exeter, one that I am sure that when we get to it, we will be looking to get a big win.