Gloucester Rugby experienced a narrow 26-30 loss to West Country rivals Bath Rugby at Kingsholm in Round 10 of the Gallagher Premiership. Despite spirited performances and a flurry of tries from Val Rapava Ruskin, Charlie and Seb Atkinson, and Afo Fasogbon, Gloucester had to settle for an attacking bonus point and an additional point for keeping the score within seven against the reigning champions.
Bath’s bench made a decisive impact down the stretch, with Louie Hennessey, Dan Frost, and Guy Pepper crossing the line, and Finn Russell adding an opportunistic try alongside two critical late penalties to seal the victory. The tightly contested match kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout.
In a comprehensive review, rugby writer Jack Tozer shares his player ratings from Gloucester’s valiant but ultimately unsuccessful effort:
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Val Rapava Ruskin – 8
An all-action performance filled with powerful carries, bone-crunching tackles, and relentless work rate. His try, where he shrugged off multiple defenders, was a highlight. Returning after a sin-bin period, he gave everything until the final whistle.
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Will Crane – 7
Commanded the lineout impressively despite the makeshift pack and showed maturity beyond his part-time player status. His reliable contributions helped Gloucester maintain possession during pivotal moments.
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Afo Fasogbon – 7
After a brief HIA, Fasogbon returned strongly, scoring a try and making key turnovers. His alertness and physicality were vital for Gloucester’s forward momentum.
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Deian Gwynne – 7
Filling in at second row, the Welsh back rower displayed industrious defense and high tempo work, contributing solidly throughout the match.
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Matias Alemanno – 8
The lone specialist lock, Alemanno excelled in the lineout and disruption. Aside from a rare error after kick-off, he was composed and effective in open play and set pieces alike.
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James Venter – 6
A steady presence on the blindside flank with notable off-the-ball discipline, despite an unfortunate penalty that gave Bath a scoring opportunity.
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Lewis Ludlow – 8
The former captain was an engine for Gloucester, making several key turnovers and delivering a superb offload to set up a try. His commitment was evident, with post-match reports noting he had literally run himself into the ground.
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Will Trenholm – 6
Displayed strong ball carrying, especially near the scrum, often breaking first tackles before contact. A consistently robust contributor in the forward pack.
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Tomos Williams – 8
Orchestrated Gloucester’s attack superbly from scrum-half, showcasing pinpoint passing, tactical kicking, and calm game management that kept his team competitive throughout.
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Charlie Atkinson – 8
Arguably cementing his place at fly-half, Atkinson was influential in executing attacking plays, scoring a well-crafted try and consistently applying pressure on Bath’s defense.
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Ollie Thorley – 6
His return to the Kingsholm pitch was encouraging. Although he didn’t cross the try line, his energy and tenacity, particularly his defensive chase, were vital throughout the game.
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Seb Atkinson – 8
Gloucester’s vice-captain impressed with his strong carries and leadership, outshining his opposite number and playing a critical role in several attack phases.
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Josiah Edwards Giraud – 7
Made a highly effective comeback from injury with ferocious defense and committed tackling, including a near-leg-dislocating tap tackle to halt a Bath try.
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Josh Hathaway – 6
Had moments of promise but was overshadowed by teammates in the backline. His dogged effort was notable, especially in defensive chases.
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George Barton – 7
Perfect goal-kicking accuracy in the first half and sharp attacking runs helped Gloucester maintain a lead at halftime. His form adds a dangerous element to Gloucester’s backline.
Replacements produced mixed performances with no significant impact, except for coaches noting the need for further improvement in depth.
Despite the loss, Gloucester’s intensity and commitment were clear, with certain players, especially Ludlow and the Atkinsons, standing out. The narrow defeat underscores the competitiveness of the Premiership battles and Gloucester’s potential as the season progresses.