Gloucester Rugby showed renewed promise on Friday night as George Skivington entrusted Charlie Atkinson with the fly-half role, resulting in an improved performance despite a narrow 26-24 defeat to Edinburgh Rugby in the Champions Cup.
With marquee signing Ross Byrne observing from the bench, Gloucester battled hard but heartbreak followed as Edinburgh staged a dramatic second-half comeback. This marked Gloucester’s fifth consecutive loss across all competitions, though flashes of last season’s dynamic attacking rugby were evident, even with key players like Tomos Williams sidelined by injury.
Full-back George Barton reflected on the match: “After the last few weeks, we really wanted to put in a good Gloucester performance. We didn’t get over the line, and that’s something for us to learn from, but the bounce-back from last week was amazing. The boys showed character when we were down to 14, clawing our way back to get within two points. Going forward, this is good for us. It may seem dark now, but we feel we’re heading toward the light at the end of the tunnel.”
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The match got off to a flying start for the visitors when, after just 90 seconds, Charlie Atkinson combined with skipper Seb Atkinson down the outside to set up Josh Hathaway for a blistering try. Hathaway outran Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer Duhan van der Merwe, igniting celebrations among the Cherry and Whites faithful.
George Barton’s penalty extended Gloucester’s lead to eight points shortly thereafter. Edinburgh answered in the 17th minute with a try from former Gloucester scrum-half Ben Vellacott, who exploited the blindside with a precise out-to-in pass, narrowly escaping Charlie Atkinson’s tackle. Despite this, Barton maintained the lead with his second penalty.
Gloucester capped a strong first half as Charlie Atkinson showcased his tenacity, chasing down a kick from Mikey Austin and forcing the ball down over the try-line, even as it bounced out against the advertising hoardings.
Edinburgh struck back through hooker Ewan Ashman powering over from close range, but Barton’s third penalty pushed Gloucester’s lead to nine. However, as errors crept into Gloucester’s game, Edinburgh rallied late. Glen Young’s brilliant offload released Liam McConnell for a try under the posts, cutting Gloucester’s advantage to two with the match entering the final quarter.
The turning point came in the 68th minute when a penalty try was awarded to Edinburgh after Charlie Atkinson illegally brought down a powerful maul and received a yellow card.
With injuries impacting Gloucester’s lineout—missing four hookers—Barton’s fourth penalty narrowed the gap to two points with five minutes left, but Gloucester were unable to capitalize on any further scoring chances.
Looking ahead, Gloucester prepare to host French giants Toulon at Kingsholm this Saturday, with a place in the Champions Cup last 16 or a Challenge Cup berth likely decided by this crucial final pool game.
Edinburgh Rugby: Wes Goosen, Darcy Graham, Matt Currie, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe, Ross Thompson, Ben Vellacott, James Whitcombe, Harri Morris, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Callum Hunter-Hill, Glen Young, Liam McConnell, Freddy Douglas, Magnus Bradbury (c). Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Pierre Schoeman, Paul Hill, Euan McVie, Tom Dodd, Ben Muncaster, Charlie Shiel, Piers O’Conor.
Gloucester Rugby: George Barton, Jack Cotgreave, Will Butler, Seb Atkinson (c), Josh Hathaway, Charlie Atkinson, Mike Austin, Val Rapava Ruskin, Will Crane, Nepo Laulala, Freddie Thomas, Matias Alemanno, Deian Gwynne, Lewis Ludlow, Jack Clement. Replacements: George Knowles, Ciaran Knight, Afolabi Fasogbon, Cam Jordan, James Venter, Rhys Price, Ross Byrne, Jake Morris.