Hayes takes tips from internationals
And he will be watching the British & Irish Lions play this afternoon to also see how older brother John gets on against the Emerging Springboks.
With the game's rulers again trying to enforce existing laws at the breakdown, the Exeter squad have been keen to see what affect that has on the game.
As the Churchill Cup has been going on in North America this month as well as tours to the Southern Hemisphere, the Chiefs squad have had plenty of games to watch.
But Hayes admits the season is so far away he is more concerned with the physical pre-season preparations than playing a game.
"Right now I'm more worried about a Paddy Anson fitness session than starting the season," said Hayes, who joined Exeter from Plymouth last summer.
"However, we are having to think about the way we're going to play already. The last couple of seasons with the changes to the rules we have watched the internationals to see how they've handled them.
"We have been doing that, thinking about the game and what is going to happen this season."
After the Lions lost the first Test against South Africa on Saturday, they play their final midweek game this afternoon in Cape Town.
John Hayes was called up at the end of last week after Scotland prop Euan Murray was ruled out of the rest of the tour through injury.
After playing a Test for the Lions four years ago in New Zealand, Hayes has been handed a chance to impress in the troublesome tighthead spot.
While the younger Hayes is not expecting his brother to force his way in for either of the last two Tests, he hopes he can give a good account of himself today.
"I'm very happy for John," said Hayes. "It was touch and go whether he would make the original squad and I was disappointed for him that he missed out.
"It always seems to happen on Lions tours that someone gets injured in each position and he's got his call-up now.
"He only arrived out there on Friday and that could help him. He has not had to deal with all the pressure of the build-up — he can go in there fresh.
"The scrum is an area they will want to sort out as that didn't go so well at the weekend.
"He's got a chance to play well but if he's going to play a Test I think he'll have to start. He doesn't prop on both sides so he's not likely to be selected on the bench.
"I don't expect him to make a Test but it would be great if he did. Hopefully he can play well today."
Tommy Hayes has been keeping an eye on international matches
