Rob Baxter looking forward to the Bristol clash

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter recalled memories from the previous encounter against Bristol ahead of the upcoming Aviva Premiership clash between the two sides at Aston Gate on Friday.

The two teams last met during the two-legged final of the 2009-10 season of the RFU Championship, which Exeter Chiefs won 9-6 and 29-10 to gain a promotion to the Aviva Premiership.

Ever since the 2009-10 clash, Exeter Chiefs have grown a strong force reaching the final of the 2015/16 season while Bristol have gained a promotion to the Premiership this season.

"Obviously, it was a fantastic couple of games against Bristol, but the truth is it wasn't just that one-off occasion that got us into the Premiership," Baxter said.

"It was a big season all round for us, and the players at that time worked extremely hard to get us to that point.

"Inwardly, we approached the whole format really well and it culminated in us building performances right through to the final at Bristol.

"All the guys involved should be immensely proud of what they achieved, but the foundations of it all were put in place not just throughout that season, but also in the years before.

"Since that night, we have kept moving forward, and while we don't tend to harp back to it too much, I am aware that the older players - and myself - have talked about it as being one of the most important games in our history to date as it was the game that got us into the Premiership."

Bristol are languishing at the bottom of the table after losing all the three games they have played so far but Baxter urged his team not to be complacent and believes Andy Robinson's men are on the right track.

"If you ask me about Bristol, I think they are going alright.

"I am sure they felt unlucky to lose that first game against Harlequins, and then like us (this season) they went to Wasps and came up against a team that are bang on form.

"Friday will be a big game because it's against our nearest Premiership rivals.

"The thing I keep pushing with the lads is that it's a big Premiership game of rugby. Any time you win in this league you have done well, whether it's home or away, and that's the important thing to drive home.

"Week by week we have to go on to the field and play in a way that merits something out of the game for us. As I've said to the players, they have to be prepared to go to Bristol and work extremely hard."