Gloucester Rugby soared to their first victory of the 2026/27 season at Kingsholm with a commanding 43-26 win over Sale Sharks in a thrilling encounter marked by seven tries.
The home side seized early control, crossing the line three times within the opening 20 minutes. Ben Redshaw, Seb Blake and Will Joseph each scored, helping Gloucester establish a strong 19-0 advantage. Sale responded through tries from Alfie Longstaff and Tom O’Flaherty, closing the gap.
Ollie Thorley added a crucial try for Gloucester, followed by Blake’s second try from a driving maul amid intense pressure and a sin-bin for Sale’s Ponipate Loganimas. Max Knight extended the lead early in the second half, capitalising on an offload from Redshaw.
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Sale, however, fought back fiercely. Replacement Nathan Jibulu and O’Flaherty, who scored twice, narrowed Gloucester’s lead to 12 points. Nevertheless, lock Will Trenholm sealed Gloucester’s victory with a determined try, securing a bonus-point win and placing them atop the PREM Rugby Cup group.
The scoring highlights began five minutes in, with Charlie Atkinson breaking through Sale’s defence before feeding Redshaw, who finished the move for Gloucester’s opening try. A clever 50/22 kick from Caolan Englefield in the 14th minute allowed Gloucester to dominate a lineout and drive over for Blake’s try. Joseph soon followed for the home side’s third.
Sale showed resilience, forcing a maul over the line for Longstaff’s try and O’Flaherty sprinted down the right wing to score.
Gloucester’s Thorley powered through early in the second quarter, before Blake secured his second try just before halftime from another driving maul, pushing Gloucester’s lead further.
The hosts continued their exertions after the break, with Knight finishing a well-executed offload from Redshaw. Sale’s attack made headway through several phases, resulting in a penalty try by Jibulu, followed by O’Flaherty’s second.
Despite Sale’s pressure, Gloucester’s left-wing speed forced the visitors back, allowing Trenholm to power over for the final try, rounding off an exciting and dominant display by the Cherry and Whites.