Doncaster have gained a reputation over the last few years for raising their game against the more illustrious teams operating in the second tier.

Leeds Carnegie came unstuck at Armthorpe Road last season before winning promotion back to the Guinness Premiership and newly-relegated Bristol were beaten 26-22 by Howells' men in October.

And the director of rugby says a rousing dressing room team talk will not be required prior to Saturday's big game against the unbeaten Devon outfit (2pm).

Howells said: "When you play against any team at the top of the table - particularly a side who boast a 100 per cent winning record like Exeter - the players don't really need any motivational talk from coaches.

"The lads will be in the zone on Saturday and they'll be determined to be the first side to beat Exeter.

"Exeter play simple rugby, they have a good pack of forwards and they are a team that don't make many mistakes.

"They're going really well at the moment and we know we're in for a tough game."

Knights were left frustrated last weekend when their second British and Irish Cup match at Pontypridd was postponed just an hour before kick off due to a waterlogged pitch at Sardis Road.

The RFU are yet to decide whether to reschedule the game or share the points between Doncaster and the Welsh Premiership leaders.

A week earlier the Knights got their B&I Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 32-7 defeat of Scottish side Ayr.

Howells, a former player and coach at Pontypridd, said: "The situation was a bit of a nonsense really.

"The conditions were bad before we got there and maybe the decision could've been made before we travelled. We played well against Ayr and it was disappointing the fact that we couldn't keep that momentum going.

"The players had trained very well in the build up to the game and it was a frustrating situation for everyone concerned - not least the fans who had travelled down there as well.

"We could've done with a match going into this Saturday but we know what to expect on the day.

"It should be a cracking game of rugby."

Exeter currently top the Championship with a perfect record of 11 wins out of 11.

They could win all 22 of their league games and still not go up after the introduction of a new promotion play off system for the top eight sides in the division.

Howells said: "I just find it ridiculous that there's no bonus system in place when it comes to the play offs.

"The way this system is there's no incentive to finish top.

"It's something that needs looking at."

Club captain Anthony Carter could come into contention for his first Championship start of the season after returning from a prolonged lay-off, caused by a serious neck injury, against Ayr.

Fly half James Brooks and lock Glen Kenworthy could also figure in Howells' match day squad.