London Irish head coach Les Kiss believes his side just need to back themselves more if they are to overcome their poor start to the new Gallagher Premiership season.

The Exiles sit 11th in the table and have yet to win a game, with their most recent defeat coming against Leicester in 21-16 loss.

This weekend, they welcome Gloucester Rugby to the Brentford Community Stadium, with the visitors buoyed by their 33-32 win over Sale Sharks a week prior.

And Kiss reckons that Irish need to back themselves more in order to rectify their performance woes.

“Every loss hurts,” said Kiss in the aftermath of the Leicester defeat.

“I thought we played a strong, tactical game.

“I think in the second half, there was a five or 10-minute period where we didn’t back ourselves. We need to back ourselves in these situations and not be afraid to go for it.

“We probably gave away too many penalties in important moments of the game. There were some clinical moments where we put ourselves under pressure.

“We need to believe that we can take good teams like Leicester to a place that they don’t like.

“It’s a very despondent dressing room and we don’t like feeling like this, that’s for sure.”

The last time Irish tasted a win came last season on the 27th of March in a 36-33 win against Bath Rugby.

Since then, they have lost every Premiership game bar an entertaining 31-31 draw against Sale earlier this season.

And Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney reckons the Exiles are more than prepared for the threat Gloucester pose following a strong week of training.

"We’ve had a good week of training and we are excited to get going again at the Brentford Community Stadium,” said Kidney.

“Gloucester are a well-drilled team, as shown by their result last week, but it’s also very much about getting our own things right.

"Thanks to all our supporters for getting behind the team so much last week. It is up to us to give you even more this week.”