Hathaway admitted that he learned valuable lessons in Australia.

“The most important thing was how physical and fast the game can be,” Hathaway said.

“The Premiership is a great standard and there’s nothing wrong with that. But when you play against people like Tom Wright and Andrew Kellaway in Australia, you learn from them while you play against them, that’s the most important thing.”

“Also, playing with Liam Williams and Gareth Davies, people I’ve looked up to since I started playing rugby, and training with them and even spending time in camp with them, was incredible.”

Hathaway has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame, helping to fill the void left at Gloucester by the departure of Louis Rees-Zammit last season.

“It all started with Hartpury and then when I signed here at Gloucester, George (Skivington) gave me the chance,” said Hathaway.

“How quickly things changed from my game at Hartpury to my (Gloucester) debut on a Friday night against Saracens at Kingsholm.

“Everything happened so quickly, I’m still processing it. Hopefully I can play more often, achieve my goals and we can get some good results.”

Hathaway knows he won’t be a big surprise this season.

“You shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself,” Hathaway said.

“You’d think it was just another game. That was my attitude last summer and it will be the same this year.”

“If people want to see me as a cover player, they can come, but we have the players and the experience around me to give me that space and give me the ball. I’m looking forward to that.”