Bath v Gloucester: Five takeaways as England dealt ‘major blow’ while Finn Russell ‘masterclass’ elevates Prem champions
Finn Russell impressed for Bath.
Following a 38-17 win for Bath over Gloucester, here are our five takeaways from the PREM clash played under the Saturday night lights at the Recreation Ground.
The top line
England were dealt a major blow to their autumn international plans when Seb Atkinson suffered a knee injury in Gloucester‘s comprehensive defeat at Bath.
Atkinson, 23, was so outstanding on his first England tour in Argentina and the United States this summer that he was seen as Steve Borthwick’s likely inside centre for the four Twickenham Tests next month.
Those plans will likely have to be put on ice after the young Cherry and Whites star had to be helped from the field at the Rec, seven minutes from time, nursing damage to his right knee.
The match itself saw an all-court masterclass by Finn Russell on his return to the Gallagher PREM as champions Bath easily won the West Country derby to stay two points clear at the top of the table.
With the fly-half pulling the strings, Bath led 28-0 before Gloucester scored three quick tries to at least make a game of it. Bath rallied and finished much the stronger.
Russell remains a class apart
To have claimed Player of the Match honours despite a sin-binning which cost his side 10 points says everything about Russell’s influence on the game.
The Scotsman had not played for 10 weeks since steering the British and Irish Lions to a series win over Australia down under in August. He would later admit the rest had made him “really hungry” to get back playing.
Russell had the ball on a string all evening. Not only did he kick six from six he worked the angles, turning the visitors’ defence throughout, and made a number of key defensive plays.
“I also got a yellow card,” he added. “Maybe we subconsciously switched off a little bit. But the way we controlled the game for the majority of it was really good. We’re building nicely again. We’re in a good place.”
Speaking to TNT Sports, he added: “The squad we’ve got now is outstanding. We can deal with boys not being here and unavailable to play. Anyone just fits in. The great thing here is nothing fazes us; whether it’s injuries, whether it’s players going away, we just get on with it.
“After winning it last year it’s not as if we’ve switched off, thinking we’re going to do it again. We’ve started from ground zero again, we’re building again.”
Lightning strikes twice for Gloucester
This was Bath’s sixth consecutive league win over Gloucester, a record in the fixture, but what was most remarkable was how similar the scoring pattern was to a week ago for the Cherry and Whites.
Against Northampton at Kingsholm, George Skivington’s side trailed 31-0 before scoring a try with the last play of the half – leading to a second half comeback which almost won them the game.
Here, Gloucester trailed 28-0 before scoring a try with the last play of the half – leading to a second half comeback which reduced the deficit to nine points after successive tries by Will Joseph, Ollie Thorley and Ben Loader.
As against Saints, it was not enough. Ewan Richards’ second try, adding to earlier five-pointers by Tom de Glanville, Tom Dunn and Ollie Lawrence, put the result to bed 14 minutes from time.
Arundell means business
He’s a local boy and he has not come home for an easy life, that was the clear message from Henry Arundell as the young winger terrorised Gloucester all evening on the wide outside.
Inside 10 minutes his searing pace made the first try for De Glanville, winning a foot race to a peach of a grubber by Lawrence. Five minutes later he was almost over again. Then he beat four defenders in a run which would have brought a try had De Glanville not passed behind Max Ojomoh.
Bristol v Exeter: Five takeaways as injury ravaged Bears make Chiefs rue ‘costly moment’
When he surged clear again, on 26 minutes, chipping and regathering, this time it did end in a score, Lawrence completing the move with a 360-degree spin and dot down.
If it was wonderful for England to see Arundell eligible for selection and on fire, they will be equally thrilled with the form of Lawrence, who capped a fine night with two turnovers and a 50/22.
Will Joseph a chip off the old block
What with a third straight defeat and injury to Atkinson, there is not too much to cheer Gloucester fans. In the performance of Will Joseph, however, there is genuine cause for optimism.
Eddie Jones was first to recognise the talent of the younger brother of England midfield great Jonathan Joseph, when capping him against Australia in 2022.
At the time he told young Will, ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ then did not give him another cap. London Irish folded, he spent time at Harlequins and now he is in the West Country.
To say he made an impression in a losing cause would be an understatement. Joseph scored a sensational solo try, beating four defenders, to bring his team back from the dead on the stroke of half-time.
He then launched himself on another dazzling dash from well inside his own half, again leaving Bath players trailing in his wake, and again resulting in a try, this time for Loader.
Gloucester were well beaten on the night yet Joseph could well have been named player of the match.
READ MORE: Gloucester lose England international for an ‘extended period’ due to cardiac issue
