Following a try-less defeat to Leicester Tigers, Billy Burns admits both he and Gloucester are indebted to defence coach John Muggleton.
The Cherry and Whites were resolute in defence and weathered storms at the end of each half.
And while they were edged out by the boot of Burns' elder brother Freddie, who joined the Tigers in the summer, he insists there were plenty of positives to take from Welford Road.
Muggleton will leave Gloucester at the end of the season after his one-year deal was not renewed and David Humphreys has recruited his former Ireland and Ulster teammate Jonny Bell to fill the role.
But Burns insists Muggleton deserves plenty of plaudits for the way he has turned the Cherry and Whites' leaky defence around during his tenure.
Burns said: "Discipline let us down a bit but credit to the boys that defensive display was outstanding. To not let them score was really good.
"The physicality was massive and to come to Welford Road and be close to them, you have to do that. The guys stood up and put up a massive defensive display on our line at times.
"The effort was outstanding, we work hard as a team and with Muggo in defence so he has to take credit as well. There weren't many line breaks; I didn't have to make any tackles at the back which is always a bonus.
"He's a great guy and he's done really well for us this year. I think the world of him, he's changed my defence massively as a player.
"From where I was last year to where I am now, I owe a lot to Muggo. To go out there and put on a defensive display like that, hopefully he will be pretty pleased."
Burns only got the call to start in the hour before kick-off after David Halaifonua pulled out with a shoulder injury.
He lined up at full-back, making it a family affair with Freddie Burns pulling on the Leicester number 10 jersey.
Burns senior did not go easy on his younger brother, sprinkling the corners with kicks and keeping the England Under-20s World Championship winner on his toes.
He said: "I got the nod just before kick-off and I quite like it that way because it doesn't let me get too nervous. I enjoyed the opportunity to be out there, it was unfortunate for David to pull out but I was happy to be there whether 10 or 15 doing my best for the team
"I kept it quiet from our mum that I was starting, she might have been in a bit of a panic but we went over and spoke to them after the match and they seem proud enough.
"I've got to give Freddie credit, he was outstanding. His goal-kicking was on point, he had me running around at the back and they played well as a team.
"Freddie congratulated me and it was the same either way. It was a funny one, I thought I would be able to read him kicking but he had an outstanding game. It was good to see him go well."
The defeat ended Gloucester's unbeaten start to 2015 which saw them rack up five consecutive wins in all competitions.
But Burns insists his side still have momentum and he is eager to get back to winning ways in style against London Welsh on Saturday.
He added: "It's a pretty disappointed changing room, we felt we could have won but we can take a lot of positives.
"It's been a great start to the year and even though it wasn't the win we wanted, we have kept the momentum going and know we could have come away with a win.
"London Welsh will be a tough game but we're back at home and want to put on a show for the fans and get back to winning ways."
