Exeter showing 'A-game' after Gloucester victory

Exeter are four points off leaders Northampton after five games of the Prem season

Exeter attack coach Dave Walder says his side are showing their 'A-game' after moving up to third in the Prem.

Chief's 39-12 win over Gloucester was their third bonus-point victory in as many home games this season.

It is part of a massive turnaround from last season where Exeter won just four matches and ended second-from-bottom, their worst top-flight campaign.

"Rob (Baxter, director of rugby), was pretty clear from day one of pre-season what our goals were and what our focus has needed to be and how he's going to treat the players," Walder told BBC Radio Devon.

"I think they've responded brilliantly. We can set them up but ultimately it's what they do on the pitch each week that matters.

"At the moment they're bringing their A-game and they're playing really well.

"We've got room for improvement, as every team has, but it's a positive start to the season for us."

Henry Slade has scored 70 points in five games this season - 20 more than nearest rival Owen Farrell

For the second successive week Henry Slade impressed as the England centre scored two more tries and kicked a further 12 points.

It took his career tally beyond 1,000 points for Exeter and he is top of the Prem's points-scorers after five games with 70, while his five tries put him joint-third on the try-scoring charts.

He is two tries behind team-mate and England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, with both part of an exciting set of backs that now includes Australia centre Len Ikitau.

"He's been fantastic since I've come to the club, he's been fantastic here for a long time watching from afar, he's great to work with," Walder said of Slade.

"I think he's enjoying his rugby - the way he's playing he's certainly getting plenty of positive touches - and having other people around who can maybe take the load off and create moments of magic across the backline, it's very exciting for us.

"I think it's making sure that as a collective we're as powerful as we are individually," he added.

"Individually, each and every player we have on the whole backline, and the guys that weren't playing today, have got a huge amount of individual talent.

"It's making sure we put our best foot forward collectively on the pitch each week and enjoy what we do, and at the moment I'm loving it."