NOTTINGHAM Rugby face their toughest test of the season when they play unbeaten league leaders Exeter Chiefs, at Welford Road (4.15pm) tomorrow.

The game had to be transferred to Leicester Tigers' ground because both Notts County – in the FA Cup – and Forest are at home.

However, the Green and Whites' director of rugby, Glenn Delaney, believes his players will make sure the Chiefs know they have been in a game, no matter where they play.

"It's one versus two, that's the occasion and we've got to address it," he said. "It is a top-of-the-table clash and gives us the chance to see how we are doing and test ourselves against the most efficient team in the league."

On top of their string of injury problems, and the recall of the dual-registered players to Leicester, Nottingham are without their captain Craig Hammond and influential second row Sam Raven.

They will both be playing for the Tigers against Leeds Carnegie in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on Sunday.

"The Tigers have two games this weekend and it is part of our agreement that we help each other out," said Delaney. "We agreed a long time ago and we have stood by the arrangement. We get a lot of stuff in return.

"It is quite problematic but it is an opportunity for Craig and Sam to play at a higher level."

Newcomer Tom Casson will start at centre.

"I'm bringing Tom in from Saracens for the season," said Delaney. "He is in the England Under-20 set-up and they want to us to loan him for the rest of the campaign.

"In the light of the injuries we've had, I thought we needed to bring in someone to cover those positions."

Nottingham University student Nick Carter has been training with the squad and starts at number five while another student, Ben James, is on the replacements' bench.

It's a very young squad with a sprinkling of new faces but Delaney is happy that they will give the Chiefs plenty of problems.

"They've had a couple of run-outs together this week to get themselves fit and ready to go," he added. "We didn't over-train too much because of the injuries. There is still a lot to do but it is not an insurmountable challenge."

Exeter have always had a good pack and Delaney insists Nottingham won't take them on at their own game.

He said: "Up front they have always been very strong. We will continue to play the way we have been playing – good, expansive rugby.

"We will try to give Tim Streather and Jack Cobden the ball in hand, playing it that way. That's what we like to do and we will continue on that theme.

"Defensively, we are going to have be very sharp. We have the best defensive record in the league and we will back ourselves to defend well and give ourselves opportunities to score some tries."

Nottingham: Savage, Streather, Haytor, Casson, Cobden, Usasz, Taylor, Buxton, Sammons, Du Plessis, Rouse, Carter, Sheriff, Eggleshaw, Baird. Replacements: Fowkes, Rostron, McDonald, Cook, Marshall, Barnard, James.