In claiming a bonus point in all but one of those victories, Leeds have opened up a five-point gap at the top of National One by demonstrating superior strength, fitness and ability.

Margins of victory are increasing with every passing match, making their charge towards the title an ominous one for those in gallant pursuit.

What they must guard against now though, even at this relatively early stage of a marathon season, is complacency.

And to accomplish that, head coach Neil Back, is stressing the importance of mental strength.

"This year is a mental challenge for the players," said Back, who welcomes back Jason Strange for the trip to Esher.

"In my opinion we are the best squad in the division physically, and if we are not the fittest squad in the division, we will be as the season progresses.

"That leaves the players only one area to focus on – getting mentally right for each game.

"Mentally, relegation (from the Premiership) left the players shellshocked. So we are trying to instil a Premiership mentality in the players. They have got to buy into that and they have."

Back described complacency as his team's biggest danger and as part of the positive mental outlook he and director of rugby Andy Key are infusing, it is a word rarely used around the club's Kirkstall training base.

"We don't really need to talk about it (complacency)," said Back.

"The players are aware of it, but we try not to make a massive thing about it. You just have to be as good as you can be every game.

"We have instilled a white line mentality at games – that is as soon as they cross the white line they switch on.

"We don't just do it for games, we do it for training and even going to the gym. When you walk through the door of the gym, you switch on."

With around a quarter of the 30-game season elapsed, Leeds can ill-afford to show weakness to those closest to them – Nottingham and Exeter, who have lost only to the promotion favourites this season, and Bedford, the division's surprise package with seven victories from eight.

"At the moment if you lose one game you are back in the chasing pack," said Back.

"That pressure is on the other teams as well. They are aware that any loss and they are out of it, and they know they've got to keep picking up bonus points."

Their mental aptitude will be put to the test in Surrey tomorrow when Leeds take on a cunning Esher side, who will not be afraid of pulling a few surprises on the runaway leaders.

Back said: "Esher are a physical pack and are well-organised. They try a few tricks in the scrum and try to test the referee's undertanding of the game, which sometimes works in their favour.

"We have made it clear to the players that they musn't lose their discipline.

"Against Rotherham when decisions were going against us, we started answering back. But we've learned now to take it on the chin and get on with the next job."

The fixture marks the return of Jason Strange to the starting line-up following a calf injury which has kept him on the sidelines since making his debut in the opening day win over Nottingham.

"He's been very frustrated and feels as though he's let Leeds down," said Back. "But he's shown his professionalism to get back."

Strange joined in the summer after four years with Bristol, but has had to watch Alberto di Bernado make the fly-half position his own in his absence.

"Alberto has been playing well and he's given the team good shape," said Strange.

"A lot of my game is about players running off me and putting players into space.

"I'm going to have to get used to players adapting to that and vice versa."

Back row Hendre Fourie has won the player's player of the month award twice this season, but Back has again demonstrated that the promotion objective is based on a squad – not individuals – by dropping him to the bench and restoring Calum Clark.

Lee Blackett comes in on the wing in place of Tom Biggs.