GLASGOW will benefit from inside information when they face Exeter Chiefs at Millbrae tomorrow night.

New defence coach Matt Taylor enjoyed a season with the Chiefs back in 2004 after he left The Borders and played alongside current Exeter coach Robbie Baxter.

And he has warned Warriors they face a brutal battle up front at Millbrae – the home of Ayr RFC – if they want to complete their pre-season preparations with a morale-boosting victory over the English Premiership side.

Taylor, who helped Queensland Reds to the Super XV title last season, agreed a deal with the SRU that will take him through to the 2015 Rugby World Cup as Scotland defence coach, but will also see him doubling up in a similar role for Glasgow.

Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend is set to field a more experienced side by restoring several of the Scotland touring contingent.

And Taylor says Glasgow will relish digging deep for victory. He said: "I had a season at the Chiefs back in 2004 where I played alongside Robbie Baxter, who was their captain then and is now their head coach.

"Robbie enjoyed tremendous respect and loyalty from his players and had a great rugby brain and that has developed into his coaching career.

"To not only have taken Exeter up into the English Premiership, but then to have got them into European competition is a fine achievement. I have no doubt they will be determined to put one over on us.

"Exeter have always been known for having a big and physically powerful pack who are a powerful scrummaging unit.

"So I have no doubt that we will face a real battle in the forwards and, at this stage in the season, that will provide us with the finishing touches we need to be ready for our PRO12 opener at Ulster on Friday week."

Taylor has no doubt about where the improvements must come in the aftermath of Glasgow's mauling by Sale Sharks.

He said: "Although we started well, defensively speaking we dropped off too many one-on-one tackles and it cost us dear.

"We are probably going to be at about two thirds of our full strength for this game, but we'll be very hungry to get the win. We have been working hard to improve the areas that let us down against the Sharks.

"The most important thing at this stage is to try and make sure all the key components in the team unit are working, that the players have all had decent game time and we avoid any injuries. But it would be nice to get the win and, even more so, since it will be in front of our support."

Meanwhile, Townsend has hailed the launch of this season's PRO12 Championship, which was held in Glasgow for the first time at the Riverside Museum. He said: "We can't wait for the competitive season to get underway and the launch was a reminder of just how close we are to kicking off.

"It has been fantastic to host media, coaches and players from across the competition in our great city."