Burns has played eight times since returning to fitness in October

Gloucester are entering a crucial stage in their season, according to versatile young back Freddie Burns.

The 20-year-old is citing Northampton at home on Boxing Day, followed by the trip to Leeds on New Year's Day and Exeter at home on January 8 as vital.

"The next three games will shape our season in terms of the Premiership," Burns told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"It'll determine whether we're up there fighting for the top four or that fifth place spot, so it's a massive test."

He added: "It'll be good to get back in to the Premiership where we've had quite a lot of success this year and hopefully building on it."

Burns scored Gloucester's third try in their 18-24 European Challenge Cup defeat at home to La Rochelle which leaves the cherry and whites struggling to qualify from their pool for the quarter finals.

We've got to move on and we've got Northampton next, so there's no time to dwell Freddie Burns

Gloucester need to win their final two games, away to Rovigo and at home to Agen, picking up bonus points along the way and hope other results go their way.

However, Burns is confident the team will not let the setback affect them, especially with three important Premiership matches in between:

"When Agen come [to Kingsholm] I think that'll be the deciding game for us, which I'm confident we can do," he said.

"It's definitely a setback, but we've got to move on and we've got Northampton next, so there's no time to dwell."

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