Saturday’s Premiership fixtures delivered a surprising away triumph for Gloucester, who overcame Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, while Bristol Bears comfortably dispatched Sale Sharks, spoiling Courtney Lawes’s homecoming. Gloucester, sporting several new signings, kicked off their campaign with a dominant 45‑24 victory that also earned them a valuable bonus point. Their win marked the first time the Cherry and Whites have taken a league match on Devon soil since 2015, a milestone highlighted by the impact of summer recruits Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Jean Kleyn.
Exeter, already hampered by a spate of illnesses and a depleted roster, never seemed to find their rhythm. They appeared disjointed for much of the game, only managing to resemble their usual form in the closing stages when the result was already decided. The match opened with a well‑timed kick‑pass from full‑back Ben Redshaw that set winger Ben Loader over after just five minutes. Exeter answered swiftly, applying sustained pressure that culminated in a short‑range effort from tight‑head prop Josh Iosefa‑Scott, which Henry Slade converted.
Gloucester’s tactical kicking soon turned the tide. Scrum‑half Caolan Englefield produced a clever chip over the Exeter line, allowing England centre Seb Atkinson to dive onto the ball for a try. Fly‑half Charlie Atkinson added the conversion and later set up Loader’s second try with a precise cross‑field kick that found the winger in space. Back‑rower Ethan Roots then embarked on a blistering run down the left touchline, finishing the move after a break by Greg Fisilau.
Exeter’s woes continued when they conceded a soft penalty from the restart; Gloucester opted for a corner kick, and captain and hooker Dewi Lake emerged from the ensuing maul to touch down in the corner, securing the bonus‑point try. Charlie Atkinson’s conversion from the touchline was flawless, extending Gloucester’s lead to fourteen points at halftime. Only six minutes into the second half, Lake added a second try, cementing his influence on the game.
Gloucester’s dominance was further underscored when winger Will Joseph broke away from midfield, evading multiple tacklers before grounding the ball for a spectacular try that Atkinson again converted. Exeter attempted a comeback, with Italian scrum‑half Stephen Varney sprinting past his former club to score, and Slade’s successful conversion narrowed the gap to 38‑19. A determined tackle by Redshaw denied Varney a second score, and even after blind‑side flanker Freddie Thomas received a yellow card for an infringement near his own line, Gloucester’s defense held strong. The Chiefs managed a consolation bonus‑point try late on: replacement hooker Louie Gulley, on his Premiership debut, powered over from a five‑meter lineout, only for Junior Denny to add a seventh Gloucester try, sealing a comprehensive win.
In the other fixture, Sale’s much‑anticipated return to Premiership action ended in disappointment as Bristol Bears secured a 34‑24 victory in Salford. The 37‑year‑old England veteran Courtney Lawes made his first appearance since captaining Northampton to the 2024 title, but Pat Lam’s side proved too strong. Bristol applied early pressure, though former Sale fly‑half AJ MacGinty missed a relatively easy penalty.
Sale then built momentum, culminating in a close‑range try by Cowan‑Dickie after solid work from Roe, with George Ford converting to give a 7‑0 lead. Bristol responded quickly, overturning a potential Tom Jordan try after a rapid lineout, and soon James Williams delivered a long pass to Wales wing Rees‑Zammit, who dived into the right corner for the Bears’ first try. Ford’s penalty kept Sale within touching distance, but Rees‑Zammit struck again in the 23rd minute, finishing a pass from Jordan for his second try. Just before halftime, scrum‑half Randall collected the ball and powered over from close range, with Williams converting to leave Bristol ahead 20‑10 at the break.
The second half began with Sale winger O’Flaherty bursting down the right side to score, and Ford’s second conversion trimmed Bristol’s lead to three points. However, Bristol’s relentless attack soon re‑established a comfortable margin. In the 57th minute, Randall sniped over from close range for his second try, and O’Flaherty added his second try for Sale, only for Bristol’s Gwilliam to force his way over from close range, completing a five‑try haul for the Bears.
Williams added another conversion, cementing a 34‑24 win and leaving Sale empty‑handed. Overall, the weekend showcased Gloucester’s promising start to the season, highlighted by strategic kicking, effective use of new signings, and a solid defensive effort. Meanwhile, Bristol’s attacking flair and disciplined execution ensured a convincing opening victory, while Sale will need to regroup after a tough debut for Lawes and a narrow defeat against a well‑organised Bristol side.