The Chiefs dominated Northampton Saints in their quarter-final tie with a comprehensive 38-15 victory but could face a much sterner test against the French side who romped to a 36-8 victory over Ulster Rugby on Sunday, scoring five tries in the process.

Sturgess, who made over 150 appearances for Exeter during a career that spanned 13 years, has urged the Chiefs on the Champions Rugby Show to focus on their ball retention for this weekend’s Anglo-French semi-final.

“I think they will be saying that they need to starve Toulouse of the ball,” Sturgess told the Champions Rugby Show.

“When they do get it the ball, Exeter must have 15 men on their feet, a really good defensive line, and know when to compete at breakdowns.

“Toulouse will look to play their game, which is pretty much all play, all action and sometimes it is hard to know how to defend that and the type of players they have got.

“I think just keeping men on their feet is key, Toulouse have an attacking threat all over the place so sometimes you’ve just got to go with your game plan and starve them of their ball.”

Former Exeter Chiefs prop Brett Sturgess believes that the key to success for his old club in the Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals is to win the possession battle against Toulouse when they face off in the final four on Saturday.