Barkley is aiming to renew his centre partnership with former Bath team-mate Mike Tindall who last season played alongside Allen.

Barkley followed Tindall from Bath this summer, three years after his fellow England international.

"It'll be nice to get a run of games with Tinds," 26-year-old Barkley told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"Anthony Allen's there at the moment and played very well last season, so I've got a big task in front of me."

Barkley is recovering from a broken wrist which could delay his Gloucester debut until September.

But barely a week into his Cherry and Whites career the London-born player has no doubts about whether he was right to leave the Recreational Ground.

"I'd been there for eight years and I wanted [to be] able to say when I finish rugby I gave it a crack somewhere else," he added.

"Whatever happens I want to give it a good go and Gloucester were the only club that, if I left Bath, could really help me achieve what I want to."