RORY Lawson's compelling words would have drawn his team-mates in tight, had they been able to get any closer.

The cramped changing rooms at The Rec meant the Gloucester squad could give no physical reaction to their scrum-half's post-victory exhortation – but the mental reaction was clear.

The 30-year-old half-back told his peers Saturday's victory over Bath must be a tangible boost to both confidence and belief.

Confidence to topple anyone, anywhere in a one-off contest – and belief to take charge and carry Gloucester back into the Premiership play-offs.

Too many times this season wavering belief cost the Cherry and Whites victories.

Not at Bath, and not again, called the gritty Scottish number nine.

If Bryan Redpath's men can beat Bath in their waterlogged back yard, Lawson said they must remember they can do the same to anyone else in any circumstances – provided they truly believe it.

Lawson explained: "We stood in that changing room after the match and said how we need to really start believing that we can kick on and keep on beating teams like this, and get into that top four.

"We've got that ambition for a reason, because we truly believe we're good enough for that.

"But now we've got to take that belief to a new level, and carry the conviction through.

"That mid-table is pretty tight, so that win was vital.

"It gives us the platform to have a crack at the top four, but nothing more.

"As ever we have to earn anything that could come our way, but we've got to harness this derby result and take that good feeling into the game against Harlequins on Saturday."

Seven games remain in the regular Premiership season, with Gloucester currently sitting sixth in the table.

The Cherry and Whites trail fourth-placed Leicester by three points, and Northampton, who sit second, by four.

Bryan Redpath's men must claw back at least one more win on their play-off rivals then if they are to succeed in their bid to finish inside the top four and secure another Premiership semi-final.

Despite all the stellar attacking talent in Gloucester's ranks, Lawson said it will be the grit and control in pressure scenarios that will determine whether the Kingsholm men reach their goal.

He said: "You can't underestimate how hard it is to play rugby in those conditions, when the ball is covered in rain and mud.

"So it's a case of just getting out of games like that with the result.

"It is very much a case where territory is the key factor, and we just had to keep building pressure and keep building pressure.

"Obviously in better weather you can move the ball around more, and hopefully against Quins we'll have the chance to do that, but we can't get away from the need to squeeze teams wherever possible.

"So hopefully we can sustain that side of things moving forward."