Derby-day spoils could lift us to glory - Gloucester Rugby's Dave Lewis

DAVE Lewis believes securing double derby bragging rights could be crucial to his chances of signing off at Gloucester in silverware style.

The 23-year-old scrum-half will join Exeter Chiefs on a two-year deal next season after six years at Kingsholm.

Gloucester host Worcester Warriors tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm), before taking on Bath at The Rec a week later.

Devonian half-back Lewis thinks Gloucester can kick-start their trophy trail if they emerge triumphant from a tough two-week Premiership test.

After winning at Northampton and claiming two bonus points at Wasps, the England Under-20s graduate is confident Gloucester can complete that double.

And he said two more league wins would be the best way to banish the lingering memory of that 32-5 home LV=Cup defeat to Bath on February 2.

Lewis explained: "This is a massive block of four for us.

"With two local derbies back-to-back we've got to set this off on the right note.

"And next week is a good chance to make up for that LV=Cup defeat.

"Six points from the last two games: we're reasonably happy with that, but we're not ecstatic.

"To get to that point we want two wins from the next two games.

"We finished the game on a little bit of a high at Wasps, and that does lift you a little.

"It's all in the head against Worcester though, with the fast turnaround.

"Worcester will be targeting this – they need a win just as much as we do. They have always come here and done quite well, which is frustrating for us.

"But if we impose ourselves then hopefully we will get the result we're after."

The arrival of World Cup-winning All Black scrum-half Jimmy Cowan has pushed Lewis down the Gloucester pecking order.

Dan Robson's continued emergence has compounded Lewis' situation, and he admitted he chose to join Exeter in a bid for regular match action.

Cowan's season-ending knee injury curiously opens new avenues for Lewis from now until his summer departure. And he admits he is not about to waste the chance.

He added: "This is my sixth season at Gloucester, and it's been a big decision to leave.

"But at the same time you're a rugby player and you want to play every week, not be sat in the stands.

"So the decision was purely based on where I hopefully can play the most rugby.

"It's a massive shame for Jimmy, I thought he had been going really well.

"For him to be injured at a crucial time with big games coming up is sad, but for me it's a chance to play a bit more rugby before I end up saying goodbye to everyone here.

"We've got the Amlin quarter-final, we've got top four play-off ambitions – and we can definitely win a trophy this season.

"For me personally it would be great to finish on a high and leave with a trophy in my hand.

"I think we're about 20 minutes away from being the team we want to be: we're playing well for 50 to 60 minutes in a game, then we slip off in ten to 20 minutes.

"Wasps capitalised on that last week. They took their chances and we were guilty of not taking ours."