Just one point separates the Saints from the Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table, and director of rugby Jim Mallinder is under no illusions as to how tough tomorrow's game at Sandy Park will be.
"Exeter like to play a good 15-man game," he said. "We know how tough it is there and will have to be accurate in everything we do.
"We were a point away from winning away against the second placed team in the league. That was positive, but we know that not many teams win in Exeter and we'll have to play well on Saturday.
"It's a very important game, but so is every game in the Aviva Premiership. They're in a similar position to us in the table and we'll have to play well to win.
"We've had some tough games which haven't gone our way. But we're still confident and know that what counts is where you finish at the end of the season."
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY EXETER
Aviva Premiership Rugby Round 13
Sandy Park
Saturday, January 5th, 2013
Kick off 3:00pm
15 Ben FODEN
14 Ken PISI
13 George PISI
12 Dom WALDOUCK
11 Jamie ELLIOTT
10 Stephen MYLER
9 Lee DICKSON
1 Soane TONGA'UIHA
2 Dylan HARTLEY (capt)
3 Paul DORAN JONES
4 Courtney LAWES
5 Mark SORENSON
6 Calum CLARK
8 GJ VAN VELZE
Replacements
16 Mike HAYWOOD
17 Alex WALLER
18 Tom MERCEY
19 Samu MANOA
20 Tom WOOD
21 Martin ROBERTS
22 Ryan LAMB
23 Luther BURRELL
