ROB Baxter has challenged Exeter Chiefs to prove they belong among Europe’s elite as they prepare to face a Toulouse side he describes as “as good as it gets”.

The Chiefs head to France for their Investec Champions Cup opener on Sunday (3.15pm) knowing they face one of the toughest tests in club rugby against the reigning French champions.

However, director of rugby Baxter insists the Devonians must embrace the challenge and show how far they have come after fighting their way back into Europe’s top competition.

“They’re as good as it gets,” he said. “They’ve been the most consistent team in Europe over recent seasons, continually turning up in both European and French competitions.

“We had a good season last year, and one of the reasons for doing that was to get back into the Champions Cup. Now we’ve got to embrace the challenges, enjoy them and improve by taking part in them, while also aiming to be ultra-competitive.”

Toulouse are renowned for their dazzling attacking rugby, but Baxter warned his side they must also be ready for a bruising battle built on pressure, territory and physicality.

“They’re happy to roll their sleeves up, but they can also open the game up and hurt you if you switch off,” he said. “People automatically think of all-singing, all-dancing rugby, with tries coming from everywhere. But if you watched their game last weekend, it was a really competitive contest.

“Both sides scored a lot of points through pressure rugby, going to the corner and scoring tries from that. Toulouse got a lot of their points that way. “People sometimes forget there’s more than one way to win a rugby match, and Toulouse can certainly win in a variety of ways.”

The Chiefs know they cannot afford to give the French giants easy opportunities. After facing Newcastle Red Bulls last weekend, Baxter wants a significant improvement in the Chiefs’ defensive intensity.

“That will require a lot more defensive work than we had at the weekend against Newcastle, but I’m pretty certain we’ll deliver that because we’ll know we have to,” he said.

“If we can improve our work-rate, tackle completion and physicality in defence, there’s no reason we can’t be competitive for a large part of the game. Then who knows? That’s how you win rugby matches.”

The Chiefs have a timely boost with Tom Hooper back in the starting XV after making his return from the bench against Newcastle. The Wallabies forward partners captain Dafydd Jenkins in the second row, with Baxter praising the energy and versatility he brings.

“He’s one of those guys who doesn’t go away. He keeps coming, doesn’t he?” he said. “He’s a winner and he loves training and playing rugby. He’s a big, strong guy with a great engine, and there’s not a lot you don’t like about him.”

Will Goodrick-Clarke makes his first start of the season at loosehead prop, joining hooker Jack Yeandle and Josh Iosefa-Scott, who will make his 100th club appearance.

The back row remains unchanged, with Ethan Roots, Ross Vintcent and Greg Fisilau selected.

There is one enforced change in the back three, with Zack Wimbush starting on the wing in place of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who continues to be monitored for a hamstring injury. Tommy Wyatt joins him on the wing, with Sam Harris at full-back.

Stephen Varney and Harvey Skinner continue at half-back, while Will Butt partners Henry Slade in midfield.

EXETER CHIEFS: Sam Harris; Zack Wimbush, Henry Slade, Will Butt, Tom Wyatt; Harvey Skinner, Stephen Varney; Will Goodrick-Clarke, Jack Yeandle, Josh Iosefa-Scott; Tom Hooper, Dafydd Jenkins (capt); Ethan Roots, Ross Vintcent, Greg Fisilau. Replacements: Louie Gulley, Ethan Burger, Jimmy Roots, Harry Wilson, Kane James, Sam Wolstenholme, Will Haydon-Wood, Ben Hammersley.