Clermont has one of the biggest squads in the competition which is packed full of internationals, like French stars Morgan Parra, Aurelien Rougerie, Julien Bonnaire, Julien Malzieu, Wesley Fofana and David Skrela, Welshman Lee Byrne, Scotland's Nathan Hines and former New Zealand All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivivatu.

But for a Chiefs side, who are in their first Heineken Cup season and pushed the reigning champions, Leinster, all the way in Dublin, last season's semi-finalists holds no fears.

"Clermont are a fantastic team but, if we play like we did against Leinster on Saturday, we don't need to fear anybody," said Whitten.

"Hopefully we can continue playing that kind of rugby and, with our home support as well, that might be enough to see us over the line against them.

"It is a very exciting fixture for us and, if we can get four points, we won't have made a bad start to the competition, after having got a bonus point last Saturday."

It was Whitten's 10th Heineken Cup appearance, having played in the competition before for Ulster, while for most of his Exeter team-mates it was a first taste of the showpiece tournament.

And, 11 of Exeter's starting line-up against Leinster were promoted from the Championship with the Chiefs in 2010.

Match Facts

Exeter were the first team to prevent Leinster from reaching double figures in the Heineken Cup for 26 matches. The province last scored less than 10 in a 12-9 defeat to London Irish in October 2009

The Chiefs have lost their last two European matches.

Exeter have won their last five European fixtures at Sandy Park.

Clermont have lost just one of their last five Heineken Cup encounters: 15-19 to Leinster in last season's semi-final.

Clermont's only loss in their last five clashes with English opponents was 19-23 at Leicester on 17 December 2011.