Aviva Premiership: Cockerill impressed by newcomers Exeter

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill has put the Aviva Premiership on red alert following his team's great escape against top-flight newcomers Exeter.

The Chiefs, fresh from beating Gloucester on their Premiership debut, led Leicester 27-16 at Welford Road with barely 15 minutes left of a riveting encounter.

And although the reigning league champions hit back to record a bonus point 37-27 win, Cockerill saw enough to convince him that Exeter mean business this season.

"I didn't know what to expect from Exeter - but I do now, and so does the rest of the Premiership" said former England hooker Cockerill.

While Exeter served notice of their Premiership potential, the Chiefs' west country neighbours Gloucester continued an ineffective start - a late Nicky Robinson penalty clinching a 22-21 win at home to Leeds Carnegie.

Bath, whose last league title success came 14 years ago, moved top of the Premiership after a 20-13 home win against London Irish, while Northampton followed up their opening weekend success against Leicester by clinching a 20-16 verdict at Harlequins.