WITH 'Phase One' of Exeter's seasonal mission having been completed without too much fuss – 'Phase Two' will begin in earnest for the Chiefs tomorrow as they take to the road for a testing away day assignment at Doncaster Knights (2pm).

The unbeaten Championship leaders will resume league battle looking to pick up from where they left off against visiting Cornish Pirates last month.

A 22-15 victory that day meant Rob Baxter's table-toppers had completed the first half of the season not only in pole position – and six points clear of next best Bristol – but having also scored a psychological edge over every one of their divisional rivals.

Not satisfied with that dominance, head coach Baxter is keen for his troops to replicate the feat for a second time, before ultimately going on to secure the club's passage into the Guinness Premiership come the end of the season.

Of course, lots of rugby needs to be played before such a dream can be realised. However, based on what has been showcased so far from the Chiefs, it will take a decent outfit to thwart the Devon club from achieving their aim.

One such side hoping to throw a spanner into the Exeter works will be tomorrow's hosts who, after a dismal start to the season, have at last began to find some form and live up to pre-season expectations.

The Knights lost their first six games before they recorded their opening win at Plymouth Albion on October 17. They followed it up with yet more success against Bristol, London Welsh and Birmingham-Solihull. Now within sight of the top eight, Lynn Howells expects his side to kick-on in the second half.

Understandably, Baxter is wary of the threat posed by the Yorkshiremen. He said: "Doncaster, Coventry and Plymouth are looking at the league thinking they have got 11 games left and they want to be in that top eight. They will be playing to win these games and Doncaster will be thinking that this week."

However, the Chiefs do have a good track record at Castle Park and Baxter will be hoping his side can prolong it with another powerful display this weekend.

"We have been to Doncaster and performed well before," added Baxter. "We know how to play and win up there and it is crucial we stick to our game plan. We know what to expect from Doncaster and they will have been disappointed with their form at the start of the season. They will want to play well in front of a home ground and use their home advantage."

As part of Exeter's battle plan, Baxter has – as expected – recalled all his front line aces after giving many of them the past two weeks off as the club competed in the British & Irish Cup against Newport and Gael Force.

Indeed, out of the 15 who started last week's 15-0 win over Gael Force, just two [Emyr Lewis and James Hanks] get the call tomorrow. Yet again it's another indication of the strength in depth Baxter now has to call upon at Sandy Park.

Baxter has admitted the last two weeks have brought plenty of benefits, not least the fact that he now has a near full-strength squad match-fit and ready to play their part.

He said: "I'm really enjoying this season. The last 11 league games were fantastic. We have really focussed on enjoying ourselves and performing well. Now, it is 11 games left before there's another fresh challenge. During the next 11 games, we will not just be facing teams that want to beat Exeter, but teams that need to win so their seasons do not fall flat.

"I know some people have worked out the mathematical permutations, but I haven't and I would hate us to get caught out by us thinking we should not worry about this part of the season."

Exeter Chiefs: E Lewis; M Jess, P Dollman, M Cornwell, M Foster; G Steenson, H Thomas; B Sturgess, N Clark, C Budgen; T Hayes (capt), J Hanks; C Slade, J Scaysbrook, R Baxter. Replacements: B Moon, S Alcott, C Bentley, T Johnson, C Stuart-Smith, D Gray, P McKenzie.