Saturday’s Premiership round delivered a surprising away triumph for Gloucester, who out‑scored Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, while Bristol Bears comfortably defeated Sale Sharks, dampening the much‑anticipated homecoming of England veteran Courtney Lawes. Gloucester’s revamped squad announced an impressive start to the campaign with a dominant 45‑24 victory that also secured a valuable bonus point against the previous season’s Premiership runners‑up, Exeter Chiefs. The win was particularly sweet for the Cherry and Whites, marking their first league success on Devon soil since 2015, a milestone that highlighted the impact of their new summer signings. The arrival of dynamic back‑rower Dewi Lake, hard‑working centre Jac Morgan and seasoned lock Jean Kleyn injected fresh energy into Gloucester’s forward pack and backline.
Their contributions were evident from the opening whistle, as Gloucester immediately asserted themselves with a well‑orchestrated move. After just five minutes, full‑back Ben Redshaw delivered a precise kick‑pass that set winger Ben Loader free to dive over for the opening try. The early score set the tone, but Exeter, already hampered by a spate of illnesses and a list of injuries, struggled to find cohesion throughout much of the first half.
Exeter responded with a period of sustained pressure, culminating in a close‑range effort from tight‑head prop Josh Iosefa‑Scott, which was successfully converted by fly‑half Henry Slade. However, Gloucester’s tactical kicking soon turned the tide. Scrum‑half Caolan Englefield executed a clever chip over the Exeter defence, allowing England centre Seb Atkinson to collect the ball and touch down. Charlie Atkinson added the conversion, extending Gloucester’s lead.
Loader’s second try arrived shortly after, the result of a superb cross‑field kick from Charlie Atkinson that found the winger in space. The English back‑rower Ethan Roots then embarked on a spectacular run down the left touchline, breaking through multiple defenders before grounding the ball for another Gloucester try. Exeter’s woes continued when they conceded a soft penalty from the restart; Gloucester opted for a line‑out to the corner, and captain‑hooker Dewi Lake emerged from the driving maul to score the bonus‑point try. Charlie Atkinson’s conversion from the touchline was flawless, giving Gloucester a comfortable 14‑point advantage at halftime.
The second half saw Lake add a second try within six minutes, cementing his influence on the match. Gloucester’s dominance grew as winger Will Joseph produced an individual masterpiece, sprinting from the halfway line, evading tackles and finishing under the posts. Charlie Atkinson’s conversion once again proved clinical, pushing the lead to 28‑4. Exeter attempted a resurgence, with Italian scrum‑half Stephen Varney breaking away to score against his former club, and Slade adding the conversion to narrow the gap to 38‑19.
A determined Redshaw tackle denied Varney a quick second try, and even after blind‑side flanker Freddie Thomas received a yellow card for a foul near his own line, Gloucester’s defence held firm. Near the end, Exeter managed a consolation bonus‑point try when replacement hooker Louie Gulley, on his Premiership debut, powered over from a five‑metre line‑out. Junior Denny added a final Gloucester try, sealing a 45‑24 victory that highlighted Gloucester’s blend of fresh talent and seasoned leadership.
In the other fixture, Sale Sharks’ much‑heralded return of former England captain Courtney Lawes ended in disappointment as Bristol Bears launched a 34‑24 win at Salford, marking an entertaining start to the season for the hosts. The 37‑year‑old, who last appeared in the Premiership when he captained Northampton to the 2024 title at Twickenham, was unable to prevent a Bristol onslaught under coach Pat Lam.
Bristol began strongly, applying early pressure, but Sale’s ex‑fly‑half AJ MacGinty missed a relatively straightforward penalty, allowing the Bears to maintain momentum. Sale briefly reclaimed the initiative when centre‑forward Cowan‑Dickie powered over from close range after a well‑executed move by forward Roe, with George Ford converting to give Sale a 7‑0 lead. However, Bristol answered swiftly; a quick line‑out was nullified when full‑back Tom Jordan’s try was ruled out, but the Bears soon broke through. In the 12th minute, James Williams delivered a long pass to the dazzling Wales wing Rhys Rees‑Zammit, who sprinted into the right corner for the first Bristol try.
Ford kicked a penalty for Sale, but Rees‑Zammit struck again in the 23rd minute, receiving a pass from Jordan and finishing in the right corner for his second try. Just before halftime, scrum‑half Randall collected a loose ball and dived over from close range, giving Bristol a third try before the break.
Williams converted the try, and with a successful penalty earlier, Bristol led 20‑10 at the interval. The second half saw Sale’s winger O’Flaherty break free to score in the right corner, and Ford’s second conversion reduced the deficit to three points.
Yet Bristol’s relentless attack continued. After sustained pressure on Sale’s line, Randall crossed again in the 57th minute, securing his second try of the match. O’Flaherty added a second try for Sale, but Bristol’s forward Gwilliam powered over from close range for the Bears’ fifth try, with Williams converting his third conversion of the game. The final score of 34‑24 reflected Bristol’s clinical finishing and depth, while Sale were left to regroup after a promising but ultimately insufficient performance.
Overall, the weekend’s fixtures showcased Gloucester’s resurgence under new signings and strategic kicking, as well as Bristol’s attacking flair and composure in front of goal. Both matches offered a glimpse of the narratives that will shape the Premiership season, from emerging talents to seasoned internationals seeking to leave their mark on English rugby.