Joe Schmidt refusing to get carried away

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has refused to think about his side retaining the Heineken Cup.

The Irish club, who start the defence of their title against Exeter in Dublin on Saturday, can become the first team to win Europe's top prize for three consecutive years with a triumph this season.

"Right now, our sole initial target is to get out of the group," said Schmidt.

"We have not played Exeter before but we are fully expecting them to be both extremely combative and expansive.

"Their coach Rob Baxter has done a great job in first getting them promoted and then taking them storming through the English league and into the Heineken Cup for the first time."

Leinster and Exeter are joined by Clermont Auvergne and Llaneli Scarlets in Pool 5 of the competition.