The versatile back insists the Cherry and Whites are fired up to take the “excitement and buzz” from their flying Premiership start into European action when Bordeaux arrive on Friday night.
It promises to be a fast and furious contest between two sides with high octane styles.
George Skivington’s side have added some defensive steel as they proved in shutting out Harlequins recently, while Bordeaux are scoring tries for fun in Top 14 while also showing fallibility away from home.
Boss: George SkivingtonBuzz
Bristol Bears, Racing 92, Stormers and Munster also fill a tough Pool 3 but Barton insists: “Kingsholm is always packed and busy on a normal Friday night but when a French team comes across – especially with the style Bordeaux play – it lifts the excitement more so.
“That’s both for the fans who come to watch and for us to show what we can do against a team with their reputation.
“They are a typical French team who like to move the ball around a lot and attack from anywhere. That suits us fine.
“We will go into the game full of confidence as we’ve had some good results and there’s a real excitement and buzz around the place.
“But we don’t want to think these first few results were just a coincidence or luck.
“It’s about building on what we’ve done so far and not be happy with it.
“We want to keep heading in the right direction and see how far we can get in Europe as well as the Premiership.
“I’ve been here seven years and there is a different energy, belief and trust in everything we’re doing.
“A belief we can make that step up and push for bigger things.”
Blast: Gloucester full-back George Barton. Below: Ben Redshaw, top, and Santi Carreras
PICTURES: Getty Images
Locking it down
Santi Carreras’ departure just over a year ago left a huge hole at full-back with Barton and Ben Redshaw offered the chance to share the role.
But Barton, who joined the club as a teenager, feels it is time to dump the Mr Flexible tag and take up a more regular position in the side.
The former England junior knows it would also enhance his international dreams insisting: “I was a fly-half in my first year here but I’ve always been able to play full-back which I did for the first time a few years ago against Bordeaux away.
“At that time it was a way of getting into the team because versatility in rugby can be helpful.
“But now my I aim is to try and hold down the jersey. Locking it down would also help my big goal of getting an England chance.
“My game probably relates more to Santi in terms of attacking the ball as a playmaker.
“So when he left it was a question of what do I offer to the team compared to the other contenders.”
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