DARTS fan Koree Britton visualises hitting a double-top finish every time he lines up a lineout at Kingsholm.
The dead-eye Devonian believes precise lineout throwing is every bit as taxing as mastering the art of the arrows.
Gloucester's fast-developing front-rower has revealed how the Cherry and Whites hookers spend hours throwing rugby balls through netted hoops, to perfect their lineout technique.
Britton said hitting a jumper at the lineout's tail at their full reach requires all the pinpoint accuracy of landing a double 20 on a dartboard.
The Kingsholm front-row fraternity have set up their answer to Quidditch, the fictional sport of the Harry Potter books.
Gone are the days of hookers honing their lineout throwing by aiming to strike a solitary rugby post.
Instead Gloucester's lineout men stand square-on to purpose-built hoops set at different heights, competing to send the ball clean through more frequently than their counterparts.
Britton admits the process might look absurd, grown men lobbing a ball through hoops as though their lives depend on it, but he said there is definite method in the madness.
The highest ring is set to mimic the full extension lifted leap of a back jumper in the lineout.
No amount of training can prepare a young player for the pressure and intensity of throwing lineouts in front of the Kingsholm crowd though.
And Britton concedes he has had to learn the hard way how to handle the unforgiving scrutiny of The Shed.
Stepping up to the touchline or the oche, it's all the same to the abrasive 21-year-old.
Gloucester's answer to Phil Taylor explained: "When you step up for a real pressure lineout, you can't really think about the situation: you've just got to think you're on the training ground and hit your lineout double top.
"It's not all that different from darts really.
"If you need double top to finish and you need to throw a back ball and the guy is marked up so you need to hit him at the top of his reach, it's no different really.
"You've got to be pinpoint, because even an inch too low and the opposition can get a finger to the ball and disrupt things or steal possession.
"We have little games between ourselves, where it's three points for a straight swoop, and one point for hitting the edge of the hoop.
"We stand on cones at different distances and move them around and throw from different positions, and it's a good challenge as well as good banter."
Britton has come of age in the second half of this season, stepping into the breach after Huia Edmonds suffered torn knee ligaments and Darren Dawidiuk was banned for six weeks for his red card against Bath.
The former Exeter Chiefs colt racked up 21 appearances this term, signalling his big Cherry and Whites breakthrough.
Rugby director Nigel Davies has labelled his potential 'limitless' – but Britton is just focusing on mastering his set-piece work.
Starting to control his nerves, Britton said boss Davies has boosted his confidence consistently all season.
He continued: "Muscle memory and confidence are huge.
"If you're nervous and tense then you will throw like a bag of spanners!
"I can remember the first few times I came off the bench and I was just full of excitement just to get on for ten or 20 minutes.
"The crowd give you a huge energy lift.
"I think I've improved on the lineout front.
"I remember the first time I played at Kingsholm, I hit a few bad throws and I got booed by The Shed.
"And I thought 'what the hell have I got myself into here'.
"But this season I've come on so much, especially in the lineout.
"In the changing rooms before the Harlequins match in March, I honestly thought I was going to be sick.
"But then once we got into the game, things went really well.
"I think the nerves are natural, but you've got to get control of them really.
"Nigel gave me a lot of confidence because he was prepared to throw me in at the deep end.
"He trusted me and that's great.
"Last year I don't think I was totally ready, but things are different now and that's important.
"To have the confidence in me to put me in for that sort of game, that's a real honour.
"Confidence in myself, to be able to step up and perform, I think that's improved.
"Mentally I don't think I was quite there last year, but I've had another year of maturity and growing up, and that's hopefully paying off now.
"That extra time around the first team has helped, and you've got to grow up quick in that environment."
