Sturgess has played in all four of Exeter's game this season

Exeter Chiefs prop Brett Sturgess has said the side are still in a positive frame of mind despite last weekend's 40-13 loss at Harlequins.

Northampton, where Sturgess spent six years, are the Chiefs' next opponents on Saturday.

Sturgess told BBC Radio Devon: "We go there full of confidence and if we smarten up the things we did wrong against Harlequins, you never know.

"You've got to run hard, be direct and win the individual battles."

Defeat at Harlequins saw Exeter drop down to ninth in the Premiership standings, while Northampton, who lost 24-17 at Saracens last time out, are second in the table.

Sturgess said: "They're definitely the form side of the Premiership although they lost last week, and are very good all round.

"They've got a good pack, a good back line and if they make changes they've got the personnel to fill those places."

The 29-year-old prop started his career at Franklin Gardens in 2000, before joining Connacht and subsequently the Chiefs in 2007.

Sturgess said: "When the fixture list came up, I earmarked a couple that I was looking forward to and you always want to go back to your old club, so going back with Exeter is going to be a really good thing.

"It's been a good few years now since I played there but there's still a few players I know who are playing, so there will be a few reacquaintances made on Saturday."

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