Exeter Chiefs centre Phil Dollman believes the manner of last weekend's defeat by Leicester will spur the side on against Newcastle on Saturday.

Dollman scored two tries for the Chiefs, who led 20-7 at the break before suffering a narrow 37-27 defeat.

Welshman Dollman told BBC Spotlight: "As a team we were disappointed not to get something from the game.

"But it does give us confidence that we can play rugby against the best sides in the league and we'll take that on."

"We've now got to be on top of our game again because Newcastle are a quality side and they're going to bring a lot of intensity, a lot of aggression and physicality to the game."

Having beaten Gloucester in their opening Premiership game, and then making life extremely uncomfortable for Leicester at Welford Road, the newly-promoted Chiefs have been the season's surprise package so far.

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Ex-Newport Gwent Dragon Dollman said: "We're a very tight knit squad where the core of the team is based around the side that we had last year.

"There's also plenty of guys in the squad who have joined us, are training well and are strong individuals."

As for his own aims for the season ahead, Dollman is focused on staying central to the Chiefs' plans.

He said: "At the moment I just want to be consistent and cement my place in the side week in week out, and make sure that I put my hand up to the coaches."

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