Exeter Chiefs star Gareth Steenson praises heroic doctor wife and all her NHS colleagues in coronavirus pandemic

GARETH STEENSON praised his heroic wife Karen and her NHS colleagues for saving lives while risking their own. The Exeter Chiefs fly-half, 35, is used to putting his body on the line on the rugby pitch. ⚠️ Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates But that is nothing compared […]

GARETH STEENSON praised his heroic wife Karen and her NHS colleagues for saving lives while risking their own.

The Exeter Chiefs fly-half, 35, is used to putting his body on the line on the rugby pitch.

Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates

Instagram / @gsteeson10

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But that is nothing compared to what his doctor wife and her medical workmates are doing every day during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Sandy Park star is holding the fort at home and trying to teach his sons, Oscar and William, with Dr Steenson on duty in Devon.

He said: “Karen is a lot busier and, of course, she is worried every time she goes to work.

“She understands the risks with it but like all the wonderful people in the NHS, it is an incredibly brave thing that they are doing.

“She goes out there, she does her job and hopefully she can stay safe. A lot of medics are getting this, she is doing well but worrying about what may come.

“Karen sees it daily and it is difficult. When she comes home, we try not to focus on the news too much.

“The beauty of having the kids at home is that it gives you something different to focus on.

“So when she comes home, the first thing she does is have a shower, then we will all sit down and discuss silly things about what we have done that day and how I’ve been trying to teach the boys school work.

“We keep it as light as possible at home because I know when she’s at work it is a stressful time. Every one of the guys in the NHS is going out and doing an incredible job.

“These people are putting themselves out there. That is why it is so important that everyone else stays home so we can all get back to normal as soon as possible.”

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Another headache for the Northern Irishman is The Stand Off pub in Exeter, which he co-owns with two others, has had to temporarily shut its doors due to the Covid-19 crackdown.

Steenson, who had five full-time staff, said: “Initially, when people were told to avoid pubs and restaurants, that was a difficult week.

“Morally, we felt, ‘Should we really be trying to encourage people to come out when the message was to categorically avoid us?’ So when it came to closing, we welcomed it.

“You want to provide a service. But the best thing to happen was to close.

“Then we could put plans in place and we believe we have put ourselves in the best position to re-open whenever the day comes.”

With Rob Baxter’s side five points clear at the Premiership summit, and in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup, Steenson is desperate to finish the season, when safe to do so.

And he has been keeping himself in trim with shuttle runs and passing drills with his lads as well as keep-fit DVDs in the living room.

He added: “We have just been told to be prepared, that doesn’t mean it could happen any time soon.

“Ultimately we have to listen to the Government. We have worked so hard and put in a lot of graft from early June last year.

“And with where we are in the league and Europe, hopefully there is an opportunity to conclude the season. But it is all dependent on all of us, as a country, staying at home.”

Instagram / @gsteeson10