Dean Ryan is setting his sights on finishing top of the Guinness Premiership – despite his side's poor record in the play-offs as table-toppers.

Gloucester have topped the pile three times in the past six seasons – including each of the past two campaigns – but are yet to claim their first Premiership title through the play-off system.

Saturday's 24-22 win over Wasps, Gloucester's ninth straight league victory at Kingsholm, sent them back to the top of the table with four matches of the regular season to play.

And head coach Ryan says his maturing side should not be burdened by history as they aim to finish on top of the table for the third successive season.

"Our experiences are not related to whether we came first or second; they have come from not being mature enough to close out those play-off games," said Ryan. "As far as I'm concerned, in the natural league season I still prefer to be first if we can. If we can't, then we want to be in the top two.

"Then we will hope to be a little more experienced and mature when we find ourselves in the environment that we have in the past in knock-out games.

"The personnel has changed significantly: Gareth Delve has grown into captaincy tremendously well, Greg Somerville is a massive addition for us and we've changed the dynamic at 9 and 10.

"So we're just looking forward to seeing if we can get into the play-offs and then push on and do something else. We'll only know if we're better equipped if we go on and be successful."

One major boost from the weekend was the return of Fiji flanker Akapusi Qera after nine months out with a knee injury. He scored his side's third try three minutes after replacing Delve.

"It was just good to see him on the field," said Ryan. "When a bloke has been out for that long, you just want to see him back.

"He's got a long way to go and first he's got a competitive back row to try to get into – but he's a world-class performer if we can get him back match fit."