Gloucester player ratings: Big man at the back ‘devastating’ while Lions star provides the ‘quality’ to dismantle Exeter Chiefs
Gloucester player ratings: Big man at the back 'devastating' while Lions star provides the 'quality' to dismantle Exeter Chiefs
Gloucester held on to beat Exeter Chiefs 34-31 at Kingsholm on Sunday as the former Prem champions put a huge dent in the visitors’ championship hopes.
Here are our Gloucester player ratings:
Backs
15 George Barton: Gave himself plenty of work, running some great support lines. Defensively, he was a little weak, however, missing three tackles. 5
14 Will Joseph: Showed elite pace with a mazy run early on, but was kept largely quiet for the remainder of the match as he had his work cut out defending Immanauel Feyi-Waboso all afternoon. 5
13 Max Llewellyn: Scored two and bossed the midfield, until shortly before the half when he was removed with a HIA, causing him not to return for the latter stages. 7
12 Seb Atkinson: Carried up the centre well to provide the all-important go-forward ball, but was also utterly devastating in defence, completing 18 tackles. 8
11 Ben Loader: His incredible run and offload for Llewellyn’s second try would only be a snapshot of what was to come. Loader was at his electric best, darting in and out of challenges as he racked up 12 beaten defenders from 14 carries, for 161 metres made. 9
10 Charlie Atkinson: Was fortunate that Feyi-Waboso wasn’t able to take advantage of an early interception, and played a little fast and loose at times. 4
9 Tomos Williams: Showed all the experience and quality that is expected from being a British and Irish Lion. He controlled proceedings for Gloucester and was well deserving of his early try. 8
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Forwards
8 Will Trenholm: An utterly devastating showing from the big man at the back of the scrum. Made a game-high of 22 carries and 19 tackles and was richly rewarded with his first Prem try. 9
7 Lewis Ludlow: Defensively superb, the Gloucester man once again led with his actions, putting his body on the line as he stepped up to drag his team over the line. 7
6 Freddie Thomas: Another player put through the wringer. He did not stop all afternoon, carrying hard and tackling with the utmost ferocity. Looked utterly spent when removed with just eight minutes to go. 7
5 Matias Alemanno: A quieter showing from the Argentine international, who failed to provide quite the highlight reel as some of his teammates. However, he did prove to be quite the nuisance in the breakdown. 5
4 Arthur Clark: The lineout maestro was at it again, leading from the skies as he gave his side a great base from which to work off. He was put to work in open play also, notching up numerous carries and using his sizeable frame as a speed bump in defence. 7
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3 Fasogbon Afolabi: Another solid display from the young prop, who dominated in the scrum against a shaky Chiefs front-row. 7
2 Jack Innard: His lineout was solid, and defensively, he was a key part of the defensive wall that at times appeared impossible to break. 7
1 Val Rapava Ruskin: Guilty of giving away three penalties, but did admittedly get the better of Josh Iosefa-Scott in the scrum. 6
Replacements: Ollie Thorley was electric when he arrived on the field, but otherwise the bench failed to quite add the required zip the hosts needed as the game arrived at the business end. Dian Bleuler was ordered to the sin bin just minutes after arriving on the field. 4