After failing to retain their Guinness Premiership status, the Headingley club are regarded as the team to beat by the clubs around them who would take great delight in denying them an instant return to the top tier.

Following Stuart Lancaster's exit at the end of a disappointing Premiership campaign, the Leeds hierachy rightly refused to rush into appointing his successor.

The arrival of Neil Back and Andy Key from Leicester Tigers, the club certainly sent out a clear message that the aim is not only an instant return to the top-flight but that the intention is to be there for the long haul.

As overwhelming favourites for securing the sole automatic promotion spot, Leeds should have little trouble against most sides in the division.

But if they are to be tested it will become evident in their opening two matches, which pit them against Nottingham at home tomorrow, followed by a trip to Exeter Chiefs the following weekend.

Both clubs are expected to be among the small number who have an outside chance of denying Leeds this season, Nottingham having finished a close third behind Exeter last time around.

Two years ago, when Leeds were able to secure promotion, Lancaster's side enjoyed two successes against tomorrow's visitors.

That season Nottingham finished ninth but last season's showing points to it being a much closer match this time.

Having now had nearly two months with the players, Back and Key are pleased with what they have seen so far and the response they have had since hitting the training ground.

They have also been impressed with the way their squad has performed in the three pre-season friendlies to have taken place against Connacht, Newcastle Falcons and Sale Sharks.

In the last two, the pair were particularly pleased with how their players acquitted themselves against Premiership opposition.

Both men have said promotion is a must at the end of this season and say plans for then remaining there have to start now.

"You can't wait until you've actually been promoted and then start thinking about how you are going to stay up – we've actually got to start planning for that now," said director of rugby Key.

"Now that might be sticking our necks on the block a little bit but that's how you've got to behave.

"We've got to make sure this side understands that it has the ability to play Premiership rugby, albeit in Division One at the moment.

"We have to do that so that when we go up we are ready for the impact that always comes. By planning now we can actually soften that a lot more than perhaps the club has been able to do in the past."

In terms of selection, Leeds are in good shape. Fly-half Jason Strange has picked up a niggling injury and will miss out, while Calum Clark is suspended.

Head coach Back admits to a little nervousness going into his first game as head coach at this level.

"Nottingham and Exeter are not alone in the clubs who will be up there, they finished second and third last year and coincidentally they are our first two opponents," said Back.

"But there are others who see this as their opportunity to perhaps throw the kitchen sink at it and give (promotion) a real dig.

"We're aware of that and the players are aware of that. We've talked to the players about how the other teams will feel about us and we've dealt with that.

"We could have taken a different route in terms of preparation but we deliberately played Premiership opposition in our pre-season friendlies.

"It needed to be very competitive and intense going in to the opening league games.

"We know what we'll be faced with this year, but we see ourselves, and when I say we, I mean the club, as the 13th Premiership club."

Ins and Outs at Leeds Carnegie

In: Paul (Harlequins RL), Strange (Bristol), Murphy (Worcester), Barrow (Glasgow), Pendlebury (Gloucester), Bucknall (Pertemps Bees)


Out: Hooper (Bath), Tuilagi (released), Bouza (retired), Schusterman, Edwards (retired), Cusack (Doncaster), T Rock, Vasey (Moseley), Stitcher (Leeds),