Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Gloucester 38-31 Leicester Tigers

Gloucester 38-31 Leicester Tigers, Kingsholm

Gloucester Rugby delivered a thrilling comeback in the second half, scoring three tries in nine minutes, to secure a 38-31 victory over Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm.

The win not only earned Gloucester a vital result but also saw them reclaim The Slater Cup in front of a jubilant home crowd.

The game opened with both sides showing attacking intent, but it was Leicester Tigers who struck first in the 9th minute. Izaia Perese crossed the line after a well-executed set play off a 5m lineout. Handré Pollard added the conversion to give Leicester a 7-0 lead.

Gloucester responded quickly when Tomos Williams ran a perfect support line to score. Santiago Carreras slotted the conversion to level the game at 7-7.

Leicester regained their lead through Mike Brown, who finished a well-coordinated set piece off a scrum. Pollard's reliable boot extended the advantage to 14-7.

Gloucester thought they had a try soon after, but it was overturned by the TMO. However, they struck back when Carreras finished in the corner following slick handling down the blindside. His conversion brought the scores to 14-14.

Just before halftime, Tigers struck again with Adam Radwan scoring on his debut, courtesy of a brilliant interception and offload from Brown. Pollard converted, making it 21-14. Gloucester managed a penalty before the break, narrowing the gap to 17-21.

Leicester started the second half strong, securing a bonus-point try when Harry Wells powered over after sustained pressure. Pollard’s conversion stretched the lead to 28-17.

However, Gloucester roared back into the contest. Jack Clement sparked the revival with a powerful run to score, followed by Chris Harris, who finished after impressive interplay.

The third try came through Seb Black, who scored off a driving maul. Carreras converted all three tries, flipping the game in Gloucester’s favor at 38-28 by the hour mark.

Despite a late long-range penalty from Pollard to bring Leicester within seven points, Gloucester held firm to secure a memorable victory. The final whistle confirmed their 38-31 triumph, earning them The Slater Cup and leaving Leicester with two competition points for finishing within seven.

Team line up:

Gloucester: Carreras; Wade, Harris, Atkinson, Llewellyn; Anscombe, Williams; Vivas, Blake, Gotovtsev, Thomas, Jordan, Clement, Ludlow, Ackermann.

Reserves: Singleton, Rapava-Ruskin, Knight, Clarke, Tuisue, Englefield, Atkinson, Hathaway.

Leicester: Brown; Radwan, Perese, Kata, Hassell-Collins; Pollard, Youngs; Smith, Montoya, Cole, Henderson, Wells, Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell.

Reserves: Clare, Cronin, Hurd, Joussain, Ilione, Whiteley, Woodward, Volavola.