Gloucester 31-7 Scarlets, Kingsholm
Gloucester Rugby delivered an impressive 31-7 victory over Scarlets at Kingsholm, taking a significant step toward advancing in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The Cherry & Whites showcased their attacking prowess, scoring five tries and collecting a crucial five competition points in the process.
Fresh off signing a new deal at Kingsholm, Caolan Englefield opened the scoring just five minutes into the game, silencing the large contingent of traveling Scarlets supporters. Santiago Carreras converted to put Gloucester up 7-0.
The home side’s second try came through brute forward power. Following a penalty in the Scarlets' 22, Gloucester opted for the corner. Jack Singleton’s pinpoint line-out throw set up a driving maul, and Jack Clement dotted down at the back. Carreras added another conversion, extending the lead to 14-0.
Building on their momentum, Carreras sent Gloucester deep into Scarlets' territory after another penalty. While Scarlets managed to halt a maul near the line, quick ball movement saw George Barton arc his way past defenders for a third try.
Carreras missed the touchline conversion, but Gloucester entered halftime with a commanding lead.
Seb Blake and Jamal Ford-Robinson made an immediate impact after entering the field for the second half. Gloucester’s driving maul proved unstoppable once again, with replacement hooker Blake crossing for the bonus-point try.
Scarlets found a lifeline when Eddie James sprinted 30 meters to score, with Ioan Lloyd converting to narrow the gap to 26-7. However, Gloucester’s defense, highlighted by a thunderous Chris Harris tackle, dislodged the ball and set up Christian Wade’s sensational 80-meter sprint to the try line, sealing the victory.
Gloucester now heads to Bayonne with confidence as they aim to secure progression to the next stage of the tournament. Following their European campaign, the Cherry & Whites will turn their attention back to the Gallagher Premiership with a home clash against Leicester Tigers.
Team line up:
Gloucester: Barton; Wade, Harris, Llewellyn, Hathaway; Carreras, Englefield; Vivas, Singleton, Knight, Thomas, Clark, Clement, Ludlow (capt), Ackermann.
Reserves: Blake, Ford-Robinson, Gotovstev, Jordan, Clarke, Tuisue, Williams, Atkinson.
Scarlets: Lloyd; Mee, Page, James, Murray; Costelow, Hughes; Mathias, van der Merwe, Thomas, Craig, Douglas, Plumtree, Macleod (capt), Fifita.
Reserves: Evans, Hepburn, Hawley, Lousi, Taylor, Davies, Roberts, Nicholas.