National League Division One side Exeter will take on the giants of Leicester in the Powergen Cup sixth round tomorrow and are treating it as a taste of things to come when they fulfil their dream of reaching the Premiership.

The Chiefs this week invited club members to inspect redevelopment plans for their County Ground home, work that would provide a 10,000 capacity and meet Premiership stadia criteria.

And the builders might have to get a move on, judging by Exeter's current form in National League One.

Currently third, the Devon outfit have already beaten title rivals Rotherham and Worcester this season, stirring victories during the past month that have underpinned realistic promotion prospects.

But even if they do not reach English rugby's promised land this season, there will be no let-up by rugby director Ian Bremner or his players.

"Promotion to the Premiership is our aim in the medium term," said Bremner, whose squad currently includes just one full-time professional - Australian fly-half Chris Malone.

"We are refusing to stand still, and I think that we are one of the hungrier clubs in our division. We will keep trying to prise the door open."

Exeter will have three former Premiership players - ex-Scotland lock Andy Reed, scrum-half Ian Sanders and prop Altan Ozdemir - on the bench at Welford Road tomorrow, where Leicester once beat them 76-0 in cup combat.

And the Chiefs' starting line-up features England Under-21 international Sean Marsden, on loan from Bristol, plus four forwards - brothers Rob and Richard Baxter, Gary Willis and Phil Sluman - who all featured for the English National Divisions against autumn tourists Australia and South Africa.

Even though Leicester, despite Tigers boss Dean Richards probably resting most of his sizeable England contingent, should ease into the quarter-finals, Bremner is relishing a Saturday afternoon in the shop window.

"Leicester are the absolute best - fantastic tactically, and with a fabulous amount of talent - but we will do our utmost to make a positive contribution," he added.

"I don't want us to go there trying to reduce the playing time, trying to kill the ball or just trying to keep the score down.

"We are going to be as positive as we can, and see if we can break their defence down."

With all 12 Premiership clubs entering at the last-16 stage, Exeter, Birmingham/Solihull, Rotherham and Orrell are standard-bearers for English rugby's lesser mortals.

Birmingham/Solihull, currently mid-table in National League One, tomorrow return to Northampton, scene of a 47-14 fifth round defeat during last season's Tetley's-sponsored knockout cup.

And prop Chris Budgen, whose performance for the Bees that November day prompted Northampton to subsequently sign him, now finds himself lining up against his old club.

England wing Ben Cohen makes a rare start in the centre, partnering Mark Tucker, as Peter Jorgensen is rested and John Leslie misses out through a knee problem.

Cohen's England colleague Matt Dawson, meanwhile, is in Saints' starting XV for the first time since November 9 after being concussed during a 13-13 Premiership draw against Harlequins.

"These games are never easy," insisted Northampton director of rugby John Steele, ahead of an anticipated points spree.

"But it is refreshing for all sides to play against teams that they would not normally meet."

Orrell, four times cup semi-finalists between 1974 and 1994, will dream of rekindling those glory days when Premiership new boys Leeds visit Edge Hall Road tomorrow.

And the Lancastrians, currently challenging for promotion from National League Two after being relegated last term, hope to field Wigan's Great Britain rugby league star Gary Connolly.

Connolly, who has opted to play union during the Super League winter off-season, could go straight into Orrell's cup side, although he was not due back from a Mexican holiday until last night.

Connolly or not though, Leeds should possess enough fire-power - and the prolific points-scoring boot of South African import Braam van Straaten - to prevail.

Ten-times cup winners Bath last lifted domestic silverware five years ago and coach Jon Callard looks on tomorrow's home tie against Premiership rivals London Irish as an important game.

Although the Heineken Cup quarter-finals beckon next month, Bath's league form has been dismal, and Callard is determined to build on a hard-fought 12-9 league success against Gloucester last Saturday.

"The priority for us is to try and keep winning, so there will be no half-hearted approach from us against Irish," said Callard.

"We need consistency because we've got to get the stone turning and gathering momentum."

Sale, the 1997 cup runners-up, are favourites to complete a quick-fire double over erratic Harlequins at Heywood Road, having toppled them 23-16 on their Premiership travels just two weeks ago.

And Sunday's cup action sees Newcastle hosting their 1999 cup final conquerors Wasps, Bristol entertaining West Country neighbours Gloucester and Rotherham visiting Saracens.