Gilchrist, who has been capped four times by Scotland, demonstrated his abilities to rise to the occasion when he helped Edinburgh defeat reigning champions Leinster in the PRO12 in January.
And as Edinburgh prepare for the visit of Perpignan in Pool 6 on Saturday, Gilchrist admits there is still more to come from him.
"It is something I always wanted to work on and I'm doing that with Omar (Mouneimne) our defence coach," he told the Edinburgh Evening News.
"I'm far from there as a complete defender but hopefully I'm making the right steps.
"I like competing at the line-out getting involved in the loose, making tackles, getting hands on the ball.
"There's a bit of belief we can defend teams."
Gilchrist was rewarded for his impressive performances with an extended contract in December and after signing up until 2016 says there is nowhere he would rather be.
He added: "My girlfriend and I have just bought a flat together. We are settled and I would not have wanted to move unless it was a big rugby reason and the rugby reasons were all positive to stay."
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