NOT one to shirk a challenge, Gloucester centre Bill Meakes is relishing the prospect of playing at Welford Road for the first time on Friday night.
With Billy Twelvetrees on international duty with England for the Six Nations, Meakes looks to be in a battle with Henry Purdy to partner Mark Atkinson at centre in the Premiership game at Leicester.
Meakes certainly pressed his claims with an impressive performance in the 25-7 win against Harlequins on Saturday, timing his pass out of the tackle perfectly to release Steph Reynolds for the third try, but it was his big shuddering hit on opposite number Jordan Turner-Hall that earned him the vote for a bottle of champagne from his team-mates.
Momentum is the buzz word around Gloucester at the moment as they head to Leicester on the back of six straight wins in all competitions and Meakes is looking forward to the experience.
He said: "I'm really excited about the next block of Prem games, I think Welford Road against Leicester it doesn't get much bigger than that.
"I've heard a lot about what it's like, I've never played there before but I think we just go there with the same mindset to concentrate on what we're doing and soak it all up.
"That's what you play rugby for is for atmospheres like that and I can't wait if selected.
"I think we've done exactly what we wanted to do over the last two weeks with two solid wins to continue the momentum going into this Leicester game.
"There's a real buzz about the group at the moment and I think we're fully focussed on Friday night.
"It's a momentum thing at the moment and I think momentum is in our favour."
The Six Nations means both teams will be below full strength and likely to make changes after resting key players during their respective LV=Cup fixtures, but Meakes does not think it will make a huge difference to Gloucester.
He said: "For both teams it disrupts the group but we've got plenty of leaders floating around and I suppose as those boys leave a few of the others will step up.
"In terms of disruption I think everyone's happy with where we're at, we've got a clear message from the coaches and I think it will be back to normal for us.
"With a few boys away I'd love to get in the team for the next couple of weeks and just play my role off the bench if that's where it is."
Meakes, 23, has now been at Gloucester one year after making his debut against Wasps in the LV=Cup last February and is able to reflect on a lot of progress made in that time.
Plucked from National League Two South side Clifton and initially signing non-contract terms, the Australian made just three appearances from the replacements bench last season but has featured more prominently this term with 12 appearances including eight starts and he signed his first professional deal last month.
He said: "It's been an interesting year, I've been very happy with how it's gone on the whole.
"I've had a lot to learn and I've been really grateful for everything I have learned.
"I'm really happy with where I am at the moment, it's really good to play rugby week in week out and stay injury free."
