WORCESTER Warriors head coach Carl Hogg has praised the “fantastic” work of Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter.

The Sandy Park outfit are the envy of the Sixways fans having risen through the lower echelons to firmly establish themselves in the Aviva Premiership.

Exeter finished runners-up to Saracens in their maiden Premiership final last season and are now handily placed in fifth after a slow start to the campaign.

Warriors are second from bottom, after finishing 10th last season, and have plenty of work to safeguard their top-tier status.

“Exeter are a top-quality side and, if you look at their model of growth over a number of years, Rob has done a fantastic job,” said Hogg.

“They initially started with home-grown young players and had a core group which has worked really well for them and added quality over the top of it.

“Exeter were Premiership finalists last year and it’s a fixture we are looking forward to.”

On paper, Baxter’s Exeter will head into the contest as firm favourites, not just because of form and current league position, but also because Worcester have yet to beat the Chiefs in the top flight in eight previous attempts.

“Exeter is a tough place to go — they have made Sandy Park a fortress,” admitted Hogg.

“There’s normally a wind which blows from left to right and they use the conditions to navigate themselves through the game very well.

“When they play with the wind, they like to keep the ball and defensively we have to make sure we have enough numbers in line and make our shots.

“Exeter hold possession better than any other team in the league so you know you have to put in a massive shift defensively.”

Chiefs thrashed Newcastle Falcons 32-19 at Kingston Park last Friday, while Warriors were on the wrong end of an 18-17 scoreline against Northampton Saints at Sixways.