Gloucester wing Charlie Sharples believes the next fortnight will be crucial in determining how good the team really is.
After an opening day defeat against Northampton, the Cherry and Whites were on a run of seven consecutive Aviva Premiership defeats stretching back to last campaign's run in.
But since then Nigel Davies' troops appear to have clicked, going seven games unbeaten in all competitions, including a hard-fought 16-10 win over their West Country rivals Bath before the European break.
And while Gloucester have gone from strength to strength in the opening skirmishes of this season it has not been a similar story for Sharples whose troublesome shoulders have kept him largely a spectator.
Surgery on his left shoulder ruled him out of England's summer tour to South Africa and, despite returning to full fitness in time for pre-season at Gloucester, a knock to his right shoulder in the second game of the season against London Irish ruled him out for four more weeks.
But the speedster is back, and, after a two-try performance last week in Europe, confident he and his teammates are ready for their toughest test of the season so far.
"We are hosting Leicester Tigers this week and then we go to Harlequins next," he said.
"Tests don't come much bigger than that but these are tests that we welcome, it will give us a much clearer indication of where we are as a team.
"We really need to prove ourselves, we've been on a great run of form recently, unbeaten in seven, but these are the games we want to play in, to show how far we have come.
"There were a lot of changes in the coaching staff this summer with Nigel coming on board, a new conditioning team but pre-season was great and we have been pleased with how we have started.
"But we know, as does Nigel (Davies), that we have certainly not peaked yet, there is plenty of improvement to come and we want to show that against the best sides in the country."
While the Hong Kong-born flyer was forced to miss out on England's trip to the Rainbow Nation this summer, his return to fitness has coincided nicely with the autumn internationals.
And on the eve of Stuart Lancaster's squad announcement the 23-year-old is hoping that he can work his way back into the England fold sooner rather than later.
"It was really frustrating to be on the sidelines and see your teammates playing so well at the start of this season," he added.
"Of course I'm delighted that Gloucester have been going so well but I want to be involved every weekend.
"England is always in the back of my mind but I know that my primary focus is getting back to full fitness and form with Gloucester, to keep improving as a player.
"That will be my best chance of getting more England experience and I hope that will be the case."
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