Gloucester opened their Premiership campaign with a statement win, overturning Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, while Bristol Bears comfortably dispatched Sale Sharks, spoiling Courtney Lawes' much‑anticipated homecoming. The weekend’s fixtures delivered two contrasting stories: a surprise triumph for the newly‑reinforced Gloucester side and a dominant performance by the Bears that underscored their attacking intent early in the season.
Gloucester’s 45‑24 victory over Exeter was a masterclass in how fresh signings can reshape a team’s fortunes. The Western Force‑style influx of Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Jean Kleyn proved decisive, providing both physicality and creativity that had been missing in previous campaigns. The win also marked Gloucester’s first league success on Devon soil since 2015, a milestone that highlighted the significance of the result for the club and its supporters.
Exeter, already hampered by a spate of injuries, were further weakened by a bout of illness that struck several key players. The Chiefs appeared disjointed for large periods, only finding a semblance of their usual rhythm in the closing minutes when the outcome was already beyond doubt. Early on, Gloucester’s full‑back Ben Redshaw executed a precise kick‑pass that set winger Ben Loader on the path to a try within five minutes. Exeter responded swiftly, applying sustained pressure that culminated in a short‑range effort by tight‑head prop Josh Iosefa‑Scott, converted by Henry Slade.
Gloucester’s tactical kicking soon turned the tide. Scrum‑half Caolan Englefield delivered a deft chip over the defensive line, allowing England centre Seb Atkinson to dive on the ball for a try. Fly‑half Charlie Atkinson added the conversion and later supplied a cross‑field kick that found Loader again for his second try of the match. The momentum continued as England A back‑rower Ethan Roots broke down the left touchline, finishing a powerful run that stemmed from an early break by Greg Fisilau.
A pivotal moment arrived when Exeter conceded a soft penalty from the restart. Gloucester elected to kick to the corner; hooker Dewi Lake, acting as the driving force in the ensuing maul, emerged with the ball and grounded it in the corner for a bonus‑point try.
Charlie Atkinson’s conversion from the touchline was flawless, extending Gloucester’s lead to 14 points at halftime. The second half saw Lake add a second try within six minutes, cementing his impact on the game. Gloucester’s dominance was further illustrated when winger Will Joseph embarked on a solo run from midfield, evading multiple tacklers before grounding the ball under the posts; Atkinson’s conversion completed the score. Exeter attempted a comeback, with Italian scrum‑half Stephen Varney crossing for a try against his former club, and Slade adding the conversion to narrow the gap to 38‑19.
A determined Redshaw tackle prevented Varney from adding another score, and even after blind‑side flanker Freddie Thomas received a yellow card for an infringement near his own line, Gloucester’s defensive structure held firm. The Chiefs managed a late consolation bonus‑point try when replacement hooker Louie Gulley, on his Premiership debut, gathered a line‑out ball five metres out and grounded it, only for Junior Denny to add a seventh try for Gloucester, sealing a comprehensive victory. In the other fixture, the 37‑year‑old England stalwart Courtney Lawes made his first Premiership appearance for Sale Sharks since leading Northampton to the 2024 title at Twickenham.
Unfortunately for Lawes and his teammates, Bristol Bears, under Pat Lam, were the better side, cruising to a 34‑24 win at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford. Bristol started brightly, forcing early pressure, but Sale’s former fly‑half AJ MacGinty missed a relatively straightforward penalty, allowing the Bears to stay within striking distance. Sale then enjoyed a spell of sustained pressure, culminating in a try by Cowan‑Dickie after a well‑executed move involving Roe; George Ford’s conversion gave Sale a 7‑0 lead. However, a quick line‑out by Bristol saw Tom Jordan’s potential try ruled out, and the Bears soon responded.
James Williams delivered a long pass that found the dynamic Wales wing Rhys Rees‑Zammit, who dived over in the right corner for Bristol’s first try in the 12th minute. Sale answered with a penalty from Ford, but Rees‑Zammit struck again in the 23rd minute after a slick exchange with Jordan, crossing the line in the same corner. Just before halftime, scrum‑half Randall collected a loose ball and powered over from close range, giving Bristol a third try.
Williams added a penalty, and Randall’s conversion pushed the Bears ahead 20‑10 at the break. The second half began with Sale winger O’Flaherty breaking free to score in the right corner, and Ford’s second conversion trimmed the deficit to three points.
Bristol, however, continued to apply pressure on Sale’s defensive line. In the 57th minute, Randall again demonstrated his nose‑for‑the‑try, sniping over from close range for Bristol’s fourth score. O’Flaherty added a second try for Sale, but Bristol’s Gwilliam powered over from close range for the fifth try, with Williams converting his third successful kick of the match. Overall, the weekend showcased Gloucester’s resurgence under new leadership and highlighted Bristol’s attacking depth and cohesion.
While Exeter will need to regroup after a disappointing outing, Sale will reflect on a mixed performance that saw a veteran star return but ultimately fell short against a hungry Bears side. The results set an intriguing tone for the early stages of the Premiership season, promising further excitement as teams adjust and vie for supremacy.