Former England prop Phil Vickery hopes Gloucester will experience a truly magical feeling in Europe this season.

The Cherry and Whites legend tasted Heineken Cup glory with London Wasps at Twickenham back in 2007 and is now hoping Gloucester will be celebrating continental success at the same venue next May.

Vickery can boast a World Cup winners' medal, two Lions tours and a Premiership crown from a stellar career that lasted 15 years, but Wasps' Heineken Cup Final victory over Leicester four years ago will always hold a special place in his heart.

And with Gloucester back among the big boys following a season-long absence, Vickery believes Bryan Redpath's men have the potential to challenge for the ultimate club honour.

"Winning the Heineken Cup is a magical feeling," said Vickery, who played a total of 60 games in Europe, with 41 of those coming in the game's premier club competition.

"To win silverware with guys who you work with week in, week out is a very, very special feeling.

"The Heineken Cup is always difficult but the Gloucester squad is looking reasonably strong. They haven't been blown away by anyone in the league this season.

"They've got Toulouse away in the first game which is never an easy place to go. But being back in the Heineken Cup is great for the Club.

"If you look at the Gloucester squad, they've got a lot of really exciting players and when they play to their potential they're a match for anyone, as they proved last year. They've lost a few players and they've had a few cut backs but it's up to those guys who were learning last year to step up and prove their worth."

Gloucester begin their Pool 6 campaign against four-times champions Toulouse on Sunday before hosting Harlequins the following Saturday.

Heineken Cup winners Connacht are the other side in the group and Gloucester face the Irish outfit in a December double header, starting in Galway on December 10.

ERC