OSPREYS centre Andrew Bishop believes he has to replicate his stunning Grand Final performance if he is to push for further honours this season.

Bishop produced an outstanding individual display opposite Ireland and British Lions talisman Brian O'Driscoll as the Liberty Stadium side claimed a third Magners League title at the RDS Showground in May.

It was the culmination of a breakthrough season for the 25-year-old, who had also cemented his place in Warren Gatland's national squad during the 2010 Six Nations.

With Jamie Roberts set to miss the entire autumn series with a damaged wrist and Ospreys team-mate James Hook recovering from shoulder surgery, Bishop has an opportunity to make that Wales midfield slot his own in October.

And the former Neath favourite is determined to prove that there is plenty more to come after his Dublin dynamics.

"A game like Leinster does give me confidence, and makes you realise that the things you are doing in training everyday does work," said Bishop.

"Testing myself against top players like O'Driscoll is what I want to be doing, I want to prove to myself that I'm capable of big performances like that day.

"I've shown I can do it, I've got them in me, now I have to make sure they come more consistently.

"I realise that people call me consistent, but the next step for me is to not be reliable, averagely consistent, but to be consistently good, to produce performances like that Leinster one week-in, week-out."

Bishop played in Wales's first Test defeat against New Zealand in June, then missed the second encounter with the All Blacks because of a broken bone in his hand.

He has since returned to full training, along with the rest of the Ospreys' international contingent and is hoping to make his mark in the early Magners League contests as the region look to make a flying start to the defence of their title.

"I'd really like to move on again this season from where I was last year," he added.

"I had a good season personally, and I've set the standard now.

"Playing in the middle with Hooky, I really enjoyed working alongside him and I think as a backline we really worked well together.

"It's important that we kick on from there though, we can't stand still or take anything for granted, we need to move forward as a unit and constantly look to improve our game.

"First and foremost for me the target has to be to get my starting place back.

"The boys who have been involved in pre-season have had a chance to make an early impression and the coaches will have seen what they have to offer. They will have the shirt and it will be up to players like me who may be starting a little bit later to really get the shirt off them."

Robert Lloyd