ROB Baxter believes Worcester Warriors have “laid some good foundations” and “will look to fight to the death”.

The Exeter Chiefs head coach has been impressed by Warriors this season and says nothing less than a top-class display will do from his players in Sunday’s Premiership clash at Sixways (3pm).

“We have looked at Worcester a lot recently and people will be aware there have been quite a few tight losses for them,” said Baxter.

“I quite like what they have done there. I look at their games and a lot of what they do is very good and well structured.

“They have laid some good foundations and I think that is what makes them a side that stays in every game they play.”

Chiefs have yet to taste defeat to Worcester in the top flight but are expecting Dean Ryan’s men to provide tough opposition.

Baxter said: “We were very similar to Worcester when we first came up because, if we didn’t win a game, we would look to fight to the death and that’s a really good quality to have.

“Worcester are the team that have come up and are fighting very well, so the pressure is on us to go there, perform very well and get something out of the game.”

Chiefs are second in the table and have just booked a place in the last eight of the European Champions Cup for the first time.

Baxter said: “I don’t mind telling people Worcester is one of those fixtures where I am going to be sat there on Sunday wondering what mindset we are going to turn up in.

“We know we have got to get things right because it’s not going to be one of those games where we can just turn up, go through the motions and everything will be OK.

“Premiership rugby against good sides doesn’t work like that.

“If we start thinking that our system of attack and our system of defence will come over the top of them, it simply doesn’t work like that.

“Players make systems work and it’s about the intensity of how they play, so that’s what we have to focus on.”