Saturday’s Premiership round delivered a surprising away triumph for Gloucester, who out‑classed Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, while Bristol Bears comfortably dispatched Sale Sharks, dimming the much‑anticipated homecoming of England veteran Courtney Lawes. Gloucester, sporting a refreshed lineup, kicked off their campaign with a commanding 45‑24 win that also secured a bonus point, marking their first league victory on Devon soil since 2015.
The influx of summer signings – Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Jean Kleyn – injected fresh energy and helped the Cherry and Whites dominate a Chiefs side still reeling from a spate of illnesses and pre‑existing injuries. The match opened with a flash of brilliance from Gloucester full‑back Ben Redshaw, whose precise kick‑pass set winger Ben Loader over after just five minutes.
Exeter answered with a surge of pressure, culminating in a close‑range effort from tight‑head prop Josh Iosefa‑Scott, converted by Henry Slade, to level the scores early on. Yet Gloucester’s tactical kicking soon tipped the balance. Scrum‑half Caolan Englefield executed a deft chip over the Exeter defence, allowing England centre Seb Atkinson to dive onto the ball for a try. Fly‑half Charlie Atkinson added the conversion and, shortly thereafter, delivered a cross‑field kick that found Loader again for his second try of the afternoon.
Back‑rower Ethan Roots then launched a blistering run down the left touchline, breaking through the Chiefs’ line to touch down after a swift burst from teammate Greg Fisilau. Exeter’s woes continued when a soft penalty from the restart gave Gloucester a prime attacking platform. The ball was kicked deep into the corner, where hooker Dewi Lake rose from a driving maul to plant the ball in the corner for a bonus‑point try. Charlie Atkinson’s conversion from the touchline was immaculate, extending Gloucester’s lead to 14 points at the break.
The second half saw Lake add a second try within six minutes, cementing his impact on the game. Gloucester’s momentum was relentless; winger Will Joseph broke away from the halfway line, evading multiple tackles before grounding the ball for a spectacular try, again converted by Atkinson. Exeter attempted a response when Italian scrum‑half Stephen Varney, a former Gloucester player, darted past the defence to score, with Slade’s conversion narrowing the gap to 38‑19.
A crucial tackle by Redshaw denied Varney a second score, and even a yellow card for Exeter blind‑side flanker Freddie Thomas could not halt Gloucester’s defensive solidity. Near the end, replacement hooker Louie Gulley, on his Premiership debut, completed a line‑out move to score a bonus‑point try, only for Junior Denny to add a seventh Gloucester try, sealing a comprehensive victory. In the other fixture, Sale’s much‑heralded return of Courtney Lawes ended in disappointment as Bristol Bears opened their Premiership campaign with a lively 34‑24 win at Salford. The 37‑year‑old England stalwart, who last featured in the competition when he captained Northampton to the 2024 title, could not prevent Pat Lam’s Bears from taking control.
Bristol applied early pressure, though Sale fly‑half AJ MacGinty missed a relatively straightforward penalty. Sale then gathered momentum, with Cowan‑Dickie diving over from close range after solid support play from Roe, and George Ford converting to make it 7‑0. Bristol’s first try came in the 12th minute when James Williams’ long pass found the lightning‑fast Wales wing Louis Rees‑Zammit, who grounded the ball in the right corner.
Ford’s penalty reduced the deficit, but Rees‑Zammit struck again in the 23rd minute, this time receiving a pass from full‑back Tom Jordan and crossing the line once more. Just before halftime, scrum‑half Randall collected a loose ball and dived over from close range, giving Bristol a 20‑10 lead at the break, with Williams converting. The second half began with Sale winger O’Flaherty bursting down the right wing to score, and Ford’s second conversion narrowed the margin to three points. However, Bristol’s relentless attack soon restored a comfortable cushion.
In the 57th minute, Randall sliced through the defence to score his second try, and later Gwilliam powered over from close range for Bristol’s fifth try. O’Flaherty added a second try for Sale, but the Bears’ conversion accuracy and disciplined defence ensured the final score stayed in Bristol’s favour.
Overall, the weekend showcased Gloucester’s resurgence under new signings and strategic kicking, while Bristol demonstrated why they are a force to be reckoned with early in the season. Both matches provided a mix of individual brilliance, tactical nous, and the occasional setback, setting the tone for an exciting Premiership campaign ahead.