HENRY Trinder is aiming to follow in the footsteps of double centurion Mike Tindall.
The duo line up next to each other in today's Premiership clash against Harlequins, with Tindall set to make his 200th league appearance.
During an illustrious career the evergreen centre won 75 England caps and was a central figure in the side that clinched the World Cup in 2003.
Trinder is yet to make his Red Rose debut, having been plagued by injuries despite several call-ups, but he reckons Tindall is the perfect inspiration.
Trinder said: "He's been about as long as I've been here and had a great career before that.
"If you look at it as a whole and what he's achieved internationally as well it's fantastic to aspire to as a young centre.
"He's been there, got the T-shirt, won a World Cup and been involved in everything successful about English rugby. If I can achieve half as much as he has then I will be happy.
"To have him by your side when playing, or even when coaching and giving you tips, he's definitely somebody you look up to and want to mould your career around.
"He is so calm, he doesn't get caught up on one thing like stuck-on injuries, he just gets on with it and comes in every day and works hard.
"That's the attitude you need to have if you want to push for international honours, you can't let things get you down.
"It's been a frustrating season for me right from the off. I made a good start, got called up by England but had to pull out due to injury and I've never recovered from there.
"It's not ideal but hopefully we can keep on top of it for the rest of the season."
Tindall and Trinder had been battling for the same number 13 jersey at Gloucester, but in recent weeks the old master has moved inside and the apprentice reckons it is a promising partnership.
Trinder added: "He's always been my main competition at Gloucester as I was coming through and it's good to be on a par with him now, but it's more him taking a step down rather than me overtaking him.
"He's getting a bit older but he still trains more than me and we have a good partnership when we play together."
Gloucester blew several try-scoring opportunities against Leicester Tigers last Sunday and there has been an added onus on skills in training this week.
Trinder anticipates another enthralling battle, but he is confident the Cherry and Whites will prevail if they convert their chances.
Trinder said: "There were a few opportunities where if passes went to hand there were snap-shots.
"We've been working on our skills and when the ball's in front of us we are making a lot more gains, but it's something we have to concentrate on.
"It's tough when you are not going forward but we're lucky to have backs that create something out of nothing. They can do a lot from loose ball or a mistake and a lot of our tries this season have been from turnovers.
"As soon as we get that platform to go forward hopefully we can start scoring a few more tries.
"Harlequins like an open, running game and have some good forwards as well. It's always a good game against them and one of those where you're blowing after 10 minutes because there's been so much running.
"They have all the qualities of a top-four team and are coming here for the win but we have to step up and make sure we get the result."
Conor O'Shea has made four changes to his side, with former Cherry and White Tim Molenaar taking centre-stage in the place of Jordan Turner-Hall.
And Trinder is relishing his reunion with his former team-mate.
He said: "I texted him a few weeks after he left but I haven't really spoken to him recently – I've been concentrating on our team and getting out of this sticky situation.
"But I'm sure there will be a few words exchanged on the pitch and a few faces in the mud but nothing too harsh!
"He's been doing really well down there. He made the move for rugby reasons. He was disappointed to go but has been getting the game-time he wanted. He's a great player and I'm sure it will be a good contest
