Execution is the key to Leeds Carnegie getting off mark

The Yorkshiremen, still bereft of an Aviva Premiership win this season, make the long trip to Devon to tackle the competition's in-form newcomers.

After weeks of near-misses, Leeds crucially need to start picking up points themselves to pull away from another relegation battle but Back is adamant they have the ability to succeed.

He knows the one area in which they must vitally improve if they are going to finally get off the mark.

"Execution," said the former British Lion. "It's as simple as that. We're creating the opportunities and we have got to take them.

"If you look at England, in slightly different circumstances, they had opportunities against New Zealand, didn't make the most of them and finished second.

"Against Australia, they took them and won."

Having lifted the World Cup with England, Back knows about the benefits that can be reaped from sustained excellence and Leeds have been grafting hard at attempting to achieve a positive performance throughout 80 minutes.

They came close against Sale at Headingley Carnegie in the Premiership and were also left rueing missed chances in their last league encounter versus Wasps three weeks ago.

Those issues came to the fore again in Sunday's LV Cup defeat against Sale when a youthful team were edged out 23-17.

"Looking at our last game, people will comment on the kicks missed and, yes, that would have put us in a better position," said Back,

"We can only speculate on what the result would have been but it's more than that.

"We lost two scrums critically in the red zone in try-scoring opportunities. You can't afford to do that in any game so we need to be more clinical, more consistent.

"Our backs are firmly pressed against the wall but, hopefully, that will bring the best out of Leeds Carnegie. We need to win at the weekend."

Unlike most promoted sides, Exeter have swiftly taken to their debut campaign in the Premiership, beating Gloucester at their evocative Sandy Park home on the opening weekend and later defeating Newcastle before picking up their first away success with a splendid 23-9 triumph at Saracens ahead of the LV Cup action.

With a powerful pack, and an already solid kicking game augmented by the recent arrival of Argentinian fly-half Igancio Mieres, there is little subtlety to Rob Baxter's side but their style is productive.

New Zealand centre Jason Shoemark has also been added to strengthen their backline and Exeter's performances have not dipped in the LV Cup where they humbled Wasps 29-6 at Sandy Park and drew at Cardiff Blues.

"I think what they've had is a group of players who have fought hard for one another," said Back.

"Their recruitment went well, they've had the finance to bring in some good players and they've gelled well.

"They're doing the basics extremely well, have great passion, great desire and are sort of mirroring their head coach, who was an honest, straight-forward no-nonsense player.

"They are playing a simple game-plan but it's really effective. That's what they're doing and it's working for them.

"You have to sit back and admire it but we're looking forward to playing them."

Unlike most of their rivals, Leeds do have experience of playing at Exeter, having faced them regularly in National One – now the Championship – so there will be no surprise element.

Indeed, Back's second game after taking charge in 2008-09 was a journey to the isolated and often windswept Sandy Park when Leeds emerged victorious on their way to the title and promotion.

He is not surprised by the strides their old rivals have made.

"They were always competitive in the Championship, had that good financial support and have got a good squad together now," he added, while admitting there are similarities between Leeds and Exeter in their battling qualities since each gained elevation to the top flight.

"They are going to be fighting peoples' perceptions of where they're going to be.

"We've never under-estimated their potential to unlock sides and get the result.

"We were faced with that challenge last year. We carried perceptions into the game and fought against that.

"I think that's what you're seeing now – an honest bunch of players doing the basics well and off the back of that getting results.

"They have one or two key players who are making good decisions and taking their opportunities but we have a good spirit and belief here. We know we're very close."

Back, meanwhile, insists Leeds have no issue with playing their strength and conditioning coach James Parkes tomorrow after he came out of retirement to ease their hooking crisis against Sale.

"He's played in the Premiership and has ridden the bike," he said.

"He's been off it for a time but not forgotten how to ride. He's in good shape, has strong mentality and good leadership."