KICKING ace Freddie Burns believes touring with England has given him the confidence required to ensure Gloucester make the top four this season.
The fly-half said he was happy with his personal performances both in his debut against New Zealand and on tour in Argentina, which included scoring a try in the first 40 seconds against the Pumas.
But the 23-year-old knows he cannot rest on his laurels, and believes his shot at the autumn internationals depends on a bright start this season at Gloucester.
Burns said: "I have huge ambition with England over the next two years with the World Cup coming.
"Of course I want to be involved in those autumn internationals, but I know that comes off the back of playing well for Gloucester, so that's my main aim and my main focus.
"Hopefully I can get a good start. I definitely want to keep pushing but I'm not looking at anything other than getting a good start, doing a good pre-season, and if that's right then hopefully I'll be knocking on the door for England."
< p>While international caps are never far from his mind, Burns said his main focus this season was on ensuring Gloucester push into the top four in the Premiership.The Cherry and Whites finished fifth last season, trailing Saracens, Leicester, Harlequins and Northampton with 12 wins from 22 matches.
But Burns believes Gloucester are capable of more this season, especially with the fresh power boss Nigel Davies has recruited.
He said: "Gloucester as a club deserve to be in that top four and give ourselves a shot and go all the way.
"We were close last year but we just slipped up on a couple of occasions.
"Hopefully we can learn from those experiences and really push on this year.
"I'm really positive with how this season is going to go. I am confident, and the signings we've made this season are going to make the squad stronger.
"There's still a long way to go with pre-season, but everyone is feeling positive and we'll be disappointed if we don't get top four this year."
Boss Davies praised Burns' kicking accuracy last season, which rose from 60 to 75 per cent, but Bath-born Burns said he was actually disappointed with that statistic.
Burns kicked 240 points last season for Gloucester to win the Golden Boot, but he is adamant there is more to come.
He said: "I felt that I was kicking well all year and finished up with the Golden Boot, which I was really happy with.
"My kicking is in a good place, I just need to keep pushing on. Hopefully I can get that up to around 85 per cent."
Burns scored 20 points against the Barbarians, kicking three of four conversions and missing just one of the four penalties awarded to England at Twickenham.
Burns relished the international experience he gained in Argentina alongside fellow Gloucester players Matt Kvesic, Jonny May, Billy Twelvetrees and Ben Morgan.
The young England side won the two-Test series convincingly in hostile conditions in Argentina, and Burns said the aggressive atmosphere has helped him develop as a player.
"It gives me a massive confidence," he said.
"It was very hostile over there, it was a very hard place to go and play.
"So hopefully it means when I go to the Leicesters, the Saracens, and the Northamptons of the world, I'll be a lot more settled and will be able to implement my game better."
