CAPTAIN Gerrit-Jan van Velze has urged his team-mates to “capitalise on the feel-good factor” at Worcester Warriors when they travel to high-flying Exeter Chiefs today (3pm).

Warriors ended a run of three straight Gallagher Premiership defeats last weekend with a thrilling 44-37 victory over Leicester Tigers.

It was Worcester’s second successive triumph at Welford Road and they will look to chalk up another memorable double when they return to Sandy Park — the scene of their 6-5 win over Exeter in February.

Van Velze is expecting another physical battle against an Exeter side who will aim to keep their home record intact this season.

But the 30-year-old number eight insists belief is building at Warriors and he says his side are relishing the chance to push Chiefs again.

“It is another great challenge,” van Velze said.

“I have got huge respect for the club and what they have achieved over a number of years and how they gone about their business.

“But then again we know who we are and what we are good at.

“We are Worcester Warriors and we are the only team that have beaten them on their home ground in the past two years.

“It is going to be one hell of a challenge but one we are looking forward to.

“I am sure they have got something coming our way.”

Two Chris Pennell penalties and an impressive defensive effort saw Worcester secure their first win at Exeter since 2004 last season.

“If you don’t have belief you can’t even start to try to accomplish some things,” van Velze said.

“Sometimes you have got to blindly believe because you have never experienced it and can only hear someone else say it.

“The majority of the squad that played there last season are within the squad now so it is easier to believe."

Van Velze also stressed that all of Warriors’ players had their own sources of motivation going into this term’s meeting.

“Whether it is Millsy (Ryan Mills) returning to Exeter as it’s his hometown club or Ted Hill wanting to prove that he is good enough, everybody is going there with their own motivation,” van Velze said.

“If we can channel that and capitalise on the feel-good factor that we have got at the club at the moment it will give us a good chance of getting a result.”

Exeter sit in second position, one point off leaders Saracens, after winning their first four games including a 40-6 thrashing of Leicester on the opening weekend of the season.

“You have got to give them credit for what they have achieved,” van Velze said.

“I don’t think there is going to be more or less of a backlash, it is going to be a physical game.

“They pride themselves on their home record and want to win the Premiership.

“When you go there you expect them to be at the top of their game.”

Van Velze added: “Exeter are a quality side. They work hard and break you down.

“It is going to test our robustness and where we stand as a team.

“But I have got a lot of faith in the people around me and there are some exciting people getting an opportunity to play on the weekend which is good to see.”