ALEX Brown believes Gloucester's defence is looking the best it has done for years going into the Aviva Premiership opener against Exeter tomorrow.

Brown picked up the Gillette Power Award for the 2006-07 season for his defensive prowess and has the 12th most appearances in rugby's top flight.

The 31-year-old is one of Gloucester's most fearsome defenders and says all their hard work over the summer months will hopefully pay off at Sandy Park.

"We are in the best shape we have been in for a few years defensively," said Brown, who has won three caps for England.

"We made it a huge emphasis this pre-season, mainly due to the fact that we were not particularly strong in that area last year.

"We have made a huge emphasis on it and it has held us up so far in the pre-season games, so I am looking forward to the weekend and hopefully not having any tries scored against us."

Head coach Bryan Redpath made improving the team's defence one of his top priorities after just two wins on the road last season, at Leeds and Worcester.

Gloucester's engine room in particular is looking like one of the strongest in the league thanks to Dave Attwood's rise through the England ranks and Jim Hamilton's move from Edinburgh.

Brown, who averages 27 games per-season in his seven years at Kingsholm, is relishing the battle with Hamilton, Attwood and Welsh international Will James for the number four and five shirts.

"I think what I have to do is focus on my game and if that is going well then it is going well. If I play with Jim, great, so it is all good," said the Bristol-born second row.

"I was looking forward to meeting Jim and seeing what his points of view were.

"It is a great addition to the squad, he is an international and it is good to have a guy around who has played at that level.

"It is good to help me and I will help him and hopefully we will work with each other well."