IT IS the dawn of a new era for Exeter Chiefs tomorrow as the Sandy Park outfit make their debut in the Aviva Premiership.

The players made history last season by winning promotion from the Championship and earning the club a place in the top flight for the first time.

Now head coach Rob Baxter wants his squad to write another chapter in the club's history and establish themselves in the elite league.

"One thing I've always done since I've been head coach here is never run away from the obvious," said Baxter, who played for Gloucester for one season.

"The obvious is that it's a very big occasion. It's a history-making time for the club and we're challenging the players to be the people who make history for this rugby club.

"They made history by getting us into the Premiership and now they're the guys who are going to write our history in our first season in the Premiership. I think that's a fantastic opportunity for them.

"We don't run away from the fact it's a massive game. Hopefully it will be a fantastic game and hopefully it will be a fantastic occasion for the club and everyone here."

Despite losing against both Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets in pre-season, Baxter was encouraged with the improvement his players showed over the two games.

And he has seen good signs in training this week ahead of the much-anticipated clash with Gloucester.

Baxter said: "Wednesday's attack session was one of the best sessions I have seen us do in my time at the club.

"I think everyone is very excited by this game and the truth is that, for the coaching staff, it will be a great indication of where we are. We think we're in good shape but this will be the test that we need."

Baxter believes Gloucester are a more settled side this season than last time around and knows what a tough match it will be.

And he wants his players to give their all in pursuit of victory.

"We've said to the players 'we're not going to hide anything from you, we're going to go for it every week'," said Baxter.

"We're going to prepare as well as we can every week as a coaching staff to help the players prepare themselves as well as they can to try and win the game.

"That's what we feel we've done this week. We're going to go out and give it our all and see what happens."