EXETER Chiefs boss Rob Baxter wants his players to believe that this could be their season.

The head coach thinks they can achieve promotion to the top flight if the players work hard and back each other.

They are using pre-season training to try to build that confidence in each other.

But Baxter also wants his players to understand what they have to do to improve and take the final step into the Premiership.

They have finished second for the past two seasons when only the National League One winner was promoted.

Next season, however, the top eight will play off with a final at Twickenham for the right to sit at the top table.

"What's important for the team is that they build some belief in what we're all about," Baxter said.

"We're a good side and we've had some success up until now, albeit without jumping the final hurdle into the Premiership.

"These guys should believe they're good players and that we're a good side. What we're doing in pre-season with their physical development, their skill development and tactical development should see them build on that belief.

"Hopefully the guys know they're a good side but they also know they weren't quite good enough last season, that's the reality of it.

"What we want them to believe by the end of pre-season is that this is our year. If we really believe it, really work hard and all stick together there's nothing we can't achieve."

Baxter this week appointed Alan Miller and Tommy Hayes as club captain and first team skipper, respectively.

But he said he will be looking for other leaders within the squad — such as former skippers Rich Baxter and Sam Blythe — to support them.

And with the likes of Clive Stuart-Smith and Matt Cornwell having captaincy experience as well, Baxter thinks his side have a lot of leadership in the camp.

"It isn't just going to be about these guys (Alan and Tommy), it's going to be about the people backing them up," Baxter said.

"Alan and Tommy particularly got on very well with Richie, they backed him up 100 per cent when he was captain and I know he'll do the same to them.

"We've got several other leaders within the team who work well together.

"We're fantastically fortunate to have that at the club and we'll be expecting all those guys to have a massive input every week."

Baxter will expect every player to do his bit on the pitch to help the Chiefs move forward.

"A massive thing we're going to try to build on this season from last year is the contribution of every player within the 15," he said.

"All the guys are aware we expect them all to make a massive contribution each week and share the workload. That's what will help keep us fresh."