Gloucester Rugby beat Bath Rugby 23-5 at Kingholm in Round Four of the 2026/27 Gallagher PREM

Gloucester Rugby showed incredible resilience and character to earn a 23-5 West Country derby win against Bath Rugby on Friday night in a pulsating encounter to remain top of the Gallagher Prem table.

A win was a remarkable achievement in the circumstances as they overcame a first-half battering from their opponents, who were held up over the line on at least three occasions.

Furthermore, Gloucester conceded 22 penalties and received yellow cards for Ollie Thorley, Ciaran Knight and Will Joseph but still finished the stronger to record their first win over Bath at Kingsholm since 2022.

Freddie Thomas and Max Llewellyn scored Gloucester’s tries, with George Barton converting both and adding three penalties, whereas a try from Kepueli Tuipulotu was Bath’s sole response.

Rugby writer Tom Purnell takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Cherry and Whites players...

15. George Barton - 9

Won the ball back with two men down, leading to an influential penalty, where Barton was able to slot the first three points of the game. Tripled his seasonal penalty count in the first half of the game with two more penalties. Was also very successful at the posts after tries, converting both. 'Brave as a Lion' according to his head coach George Skivington and in the form of his life.

14. Ollie Thorley - 7

Sin-binned in the 22nd minute after a series of repeated team offences at the defensive five-metre line, and then stayed off for a further eight minutes following his sin bin to make way for Fasogbon, who replaced Ciaran Knight, who was in the bin. Made some nice runs along his wing later in the contest and forced the Bath attack into touch after a scary line break.

13. Will Joseph - 7

Not much influence in the first half, alongside a Gloucester backline that struggled to create many influential try-scoring opportunities. The third Cherry and Whites' man sent to the sin bin of the evening after a deliberate knock-on that he was unable to hold on to after going for an intercept. Part of an improved attacking effort in the second half, making a key break in the lead-up to Llewellyn's try, and he worked with Thorley to take an aggressive Bath attack into touch.

12. Max Llewellyn - 7

The recently called-up Welsh international did not see much of the ball throughout the contest, playing more defensively as his side did not create many attacking opportunities in the first half. A huge tackle on Ciaran Donoghue is going viral online. Part of a backline that had intensity and accuracy in the attack after the break and took the ball over the line for the final try of the night to seal a massive win in the contest.

11. Will Knight - 8

Missed the first high ball, recovered very well, winning some influential balls in the centre of the pitch. Produced a great try-saving tackle, which forced a Gloucester penalty and ended a lengthy Bath period of attack. Made some nice runs, with great quick-thinking offloads to keep possession, a nice night for the England Under-20.

10. Charlie Atkinson - 7

Didn't see as much of the ball, especially after the number of big runs in previous weeks. Made a powerful line break in the second half to gain huge momentum in the opposition's 22 metre zone.

9. Caolan Englefield - 7

Struggled to get his side into enemy territory in the first half but was largely accurate in his work. Held up a Bath try in the early stages of the second half, which was very influential in terms of the scoreline.

1. Val Rapava Ruskin - 8

Really good job to hold Bath off, even with two men down. His defensive effort was influential in frustrating the visitors' attack throughout his 48 minutes on the pitch, winning a trademark jackal turnover.

2. Seb Blake - 7

Had some tough shoes to fill with the absent captain Dewi Lake out. Not as influential throwing at the lineout. In the wind, although he helped his forward counterparts through some long and challenging phases in defence, especially in the first half.

3. Ciaran Knight - 7

Sin-binned to put his side down to 13 men after more repeated penalties in his defensive half. He put in great effort to limit Bath's scoring efforts throughout the evening, especially during his time on the field in the first half, shining in the scrum.

4. Jean Kleyn – 8

Stopped a monumental try from his opposite number Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi , forcing a knock-on to give the visitors their second disallowed try of the evening. A part of a great second row partnership to limit plenty of frustrating attacking phases for the visitors.

5. Arthur Clark – 7

Stole a Bath lineout in a dangerous area of the pitch, but through little fault of his own, this then led to a Bath penalty, handing the momentum back to the visitors. Levelled Finn Russell with a monster tackle that will have rattled the playmaker's bones.

6. Freddie Thomas - 8

Scored the first home try of the afternoon in the second half, after getting the ball from number eight Clement, the Welsh international did an excellent job to fire himself towards the line and reach out to put the ball under the posts.

7. Jac Morgan (c) - 9

Another powerful start, stealing the ball and breaking the line early throughout the first half, tipping momentum to his side. Scrambled a turnover in a dangerous position. Although in his first start as captain for his new side, Gloucester's discipline under immense pressure fell apart. Despite this, it felt like a blessing in disguise as Gloucester scored 16 points with men sin-binned, and allowed zero points in. Made two excellent runs, fighting off many scrambling Bath defenders and picking up many metres in the process. Phenomenal.

8. Jack Clement - 8

Assisted the first Glos try of the afternoon, going through the line and feeding the ball to Thomas, who managed to reach over the line. He made a great momentum-winning run from a ruck too. Aided another great forward pack to hold the visitors to just five points.

Replacements

16. Jack Innard - 6

17. Dian Bleuler - 6

18. Afo Fasogbon - 6

Came on briefly to step in for sin-binned Ciaran Knight, and won his side a scrum during that short stint on the field. Held the visitors to no second-half points with his time on the field.

19. Will Trenholm - 6

20. Lewis Ludlow - 6

21. Dan Robson - 6

Tried to play a very quick ball out of the ruck, but looked of the pace at on a different page to his team mates.