Olivier Azam believes Gloucester's form against their fellow play-off contenders will be crucial when it comes to the final Guinness Premiership shake-up. Leaders Gloucester have beaten second-placed London Irish and third-placed Sale in their last two matches – and face a trip to fifth-placed Harlequins tomorrow.

They then host Bath, who are currently in fourth, before visiting sixth-placed Leicester.

It is a demanding run of fixtures, but one which hooker Azam feels will shape Gloucester's title bid.

"It's good to get wins against the top teams – it's always a big challenge whenever we play one of those sides," said the Frenchman.

"We are not playing that well at the moment, so it has been very good for our confidence to beat Irish and Sale.

"You make your place in the top four safe by beating the other teams at the top. For us, the main aim has always been to finish in the top four and to get a home semi-final.

"If we can beat the other top teams, then that will help us achieve our goals.

"We have a pretty tough run-in until the end of the season – and Quins will be very confident after beating Irish at Irish."

Gloucester have been hit by injuries and international call-ups in recent weeks, but the return of key men such as Gareth Delve from a serious knee injury has injected new life into the club's title bid.

And Azam is full of praise for the way the Wales No 8 has battled back from a third career cruciate ligament operation.

"We have lost some players, but we are also getting some back from injury, which is good for the squad," he said. "Delvey, for example, is a very strong player for us and has proved he can come back from a serious injury.

"He has worked very hard for the last eight months and has shown that in the two games he has played since he came back."

Gloucester are understood to be lining up a move to sign Leicester's Fijian centre Seru Rabeni, who is out of contract this summer.