Exeter Chiefs host Premiership leaders Saracens at Sandy Park today with prop Alex Brown determined to see his club take their place at the summit of English rugby.
Former Sarries forward Brown has been named on the replacements' bench against his old club for this afternoon's game and backed his current side to win on their return to Premiership rugby.
Both clubs featured in the LV= Cup in recent weeks, with Saracens beating London Wasps and Scarlets, while Chiefs overcame Harlequins before losing out at Bath.
Despite today's visitors enjoying superior form, Brown believes Chiefs can rise to the top of the table.
The Devon club are currently fourth in the Premiership and top their pool in the Heineken Cup. He said: "We are in a great position, but as a team and a group of guys, we want to be pushing for that top spot.
"You never want to be content with coming fourth and, as a club, we want to be first. As long as we keep pushing and striving to be the best, then anything is possible."
Former Saracens Academy player Brown understands the Sarries ethos better than most. When asked what Chiefs can expect this weekend, he said: "This will be a good tester for us but we're a team that thrives on that and really looks forward to the big games and playing under pressure – it really consolidates us as a team. It is a test of your mettle and you do gauge yourself against them.
"Saracens are a dangerous side and you have to respect that to a certain degree, but at the same time, you have make sure you don't give them the space to play.
"If you give them opportunities, that's when they are a good side. You have to go out there and put your own mark on the game, take control and put them under pressure.
"They like a kicking game and they have a big set of boys who like to carry. There is definitely an element in training each week where we work to the opposition's strengths and attack that. But at the same time, we need to stick to our own gameplan.
"Obviously, I don't want to talk them up too much, or talk us up too much – let's just wait for Saturday."
After Saracens, Chiefs take on their old nemeses Bath again before facing Toulon twice in the Heineken Cup. It is a testing series of games but Brown says it will help the squad reach their potential.
He said: "It is going to be a really tough few weeks, which is good. I think that brings out the best in people.
"There aren't any easy sets of games for us but you really want to be putting your foot down at this time of year and getting the points because it really pays off towards the end of the season."
Cornishman Jack Nowell was among those to impress in the LV= Cup and is rewarded with his first Premiership start of the season against Saracens today on the right wing.
Irishman Ian Whitten is handed his opportunity in the centre alongside Sam Hill.
The remainder of the line-up remains similar to that which has featured predominantly in the top flight this term, captained by Australian lock Dean Mumm.
Exeter Chiefs: @Dollman; Nowell, Whitten, Hill, Jess; Steenson, Lewis; Sturgess, Yeandle, Tui; Mumm (capt), Welch; Johnson, White, Ewers. Replacements: Whitehead, Moon, Brown, Armand, Horstmann, Thomas Slade, Arscott.
