Saracens 36 Gloucester 14
Official away sections made an intriguing introduction to the Premiership as Saracens returned to the top four by dismissing Gloucester despite a clunky first half.
The hosts eventually registered five tries on the way to a routine win that was capped by a brilliant solo effort from Juan Martin Gonzalez and never really required them to leave third gear.
This fixture had been earmarked as one several that will trial designated sections for away supporters and a group of travelling fans made it their intention to generate some noise.
There were chants of “We hate Saracens” and “London’s a s—hole” early on as well as a more wholesome song praising Carreras. While the language might not have been to everyone’s taste, the atmosphere created was far from hostile.
A security guard did need to deliver a gentle warning, but the tone never dipped below slightly edgy. As if to underline as much, a Saracens supporter who could not have been older than 13 turned around to the away section midway through the second period, as Gloucester trailed 26-14, and cheekily asked about the scoreline. In response, there were joking demands to evict the mischievous youngster.
Away sections do not appeal to everyone, but will not endanger what is seen by many as a core staple of rugby union: the ability for opposing fans to sit together. That can still happen, and did today.
In truth, the rowdiest contingent of Gloucester supporters in this game would have congregated anyway without the designated away section in the west stand. And a total attendance of just 8,400 was always likely to leave them conspicuous. In any case, this trial is worth rolling out on a wider basis.
Meanwhile, a more familiar sight is that of Saracens timing their run towards the Premiership play-off rounds.
Gloucester led at the break but would have been disappointed not to register a bonus-point after fading under pressure from the hosts’ maul and the impact of a strong bench.
Theo Dan benefitted from robust line-out drives for each of his two tries, while Gonzalez and Jamie George scored from the bench. A Santiago Carreras interception had given George Skivington’s team a 14-12 advantage in the 34th minute, yet Gloucester would not add a single point from there.
Saracens were far from slick and struggled for fluency at times, even if they had been replenished by their England regulars such as skipper Maro Itoje. However, they strangled aspects of their opponents’ game. Nick Isiekwe was outstanding as a line-out spoiler.
07:23 PM BST
Full-time, Saracens 36 Gloucester 14
That’s it. Gloucester are held up over the try-line and the game is done. A tired bout of pushing and shoving greets the final whistle but the visitors will be disappointed that they did not register a bonus point despite leading at half-time.
07:18 PM BST
Saracens 36 Gloucester 14, 78 minutes
Gloucester pushing for a third try here as time ticks down.
07:16 PM BST
Try, Jamie George! Saracens 36 Gloucester 14, 75 minutes
Jamie George has made an eye-catching cameo and he complements it with a try. Itoje snaffles the ball from a line-out and rushes through before feeding his England colleague, who has the pace to reach the line with a dive.
07:13 PM BST
Saracens 31 Gloucester 14, 70 minutes
Nick Isiekwe comes off. he’s been excellent for Saracens.
07:10 PM BST
Try, Juan Martin Gonzalez! Saracens 31 Gloucester 14, 70 minutes
Juan Martin Gonzalez is a remarkable player and that is a remarkable try, which ends the game as a contest. He chased a Van Zyl’s box kick, made the tackle and burrowed into the breakdown.Upon emerging with the ball, he sprinted into the clear and then stepped back inside to beat a covering defender before diving over. Phenomenal.
07:05 PM BST
Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 66 minutes
Trademark Chris Harris. He reads a short pass from Onyeama-Christie and jams in to tackle Tompkins, who spills.
07:01 PM BST
Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 64 minutes
Saracens scrum penalty as Tom Willis makes way for Andy Onyeama-Christie. Itoje rises to take a line-out and Gloucester infringe.
06:59 PM BST
Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 62 minutes
Gloucester’s line-out works, which has been a rarity today, and their maul gathers steam. Earl does well around the fringes, though, tackling Williams to force a knock-on.
Maro Itoje is down receiving treatment… his left ankle seems to be the issue.
06:56 PM BST
Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 60 minutes
A rampaging run down the tramlines by Jamie George almost brings a Saracens fifth. The hosts have noticeably raised the speed of this one. Can Gloucester hang on?
06:51 PM BST
Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 55 minutes
Just as I was about to write that Saracens were squeezing Gloucester, Gloucester win a scrum penalty. They’ll have line-out on the 10-metre line.
It’s messy again, with Isiewek pressurising, and Rhys Carre swoops for a breakdown penalty. Theo McFarland is being replaced by Juan Martin Gonzalez now as well.
06:49 PM BST
Try, Theo Dan! Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 52 minutes
That is the bonus point, and it’s another drive dotted down by Dan. After a delay while referee Adam Leal sorts out his communication link, Burke bags the conversion.
The teams have replaced their respective front rows.
06:45 PM BST
Saracens 19 Gloucester 14, 50 minutes
Daly’s long pass to Burke sweeps Saracens into the Gloucester 22, where they pick up another penalty and hit the corner.
06:43 PM BST
Saracens 19 Gloucester 14, 47 minutes
Good response from Gloucester. They block a Daly clearance and get a scrum before spreading the ball wide to Barton. Daly is across to make a robust tackle into touch.
06:40 PM BST
Try, Theo Dan! Saracens 19 Gloucester 14, 45 minutes
The maul gathers impetus and Dan is at the tail to score. Burke converts well from close to the left touchline.
06:38 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 43 minutes
Sharper from the Saracens backs as Segun goes on another bristling run, bypassing George Barton out wide. Daly cuts an angle a couple of phases later and Gloucester infringe at the breakdown.
06:35 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 41 minutes
A spot of kick-tennis ends with Daly clearing to touch to set up a Gloucester line-out… that is stolen by Isiekewe.
06:34 PM BST
Players back out
A significant 40 minutes lies ahead in the context of the Premiership season.
06:18 PM BST
Half-time, Saracens 12 Gloucester 14
Could that be costly? Gloucester’s line-out malfunctions again and Saracens can kick the ball off to end the opening 40 minutes. Gloucester deserve this skinny lead. Saracens have been too inaccurate with the ball.
06:17 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 39 minutes
Interesting. Gloucester win a breakdown penalty in the shadow of the posts – Tompkins failed to roll away before Earl burrowed in to compete – but turn down an easy three points to go to the corner.
06:15 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 39 minutes
Nick Isiekwe is up highest, but knocks on. Gloucester put-in.
06:14 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 38 minutes
Gloucester have Saracens rattled, no doubt. Rapava Ruskin forces another breakdown turnover and Carreras taps. That initially looks a rather questionable decision as he scuffs a kick ahead. But Daly coughs up a knock-on when covering across.
We will restart the action with a Gloucester line-out just inside the Saracens 22. This feels like a big two minutes.
06:10 PM BST
Try, Santiago Carreras! Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 34 minutes
Wow, this has been sloppy from Saracens. Another of their attacks inside the Gloucester 22 comes to nothing before Elliott and Segun spark a counter. Then Tompkins throws a pass directly to Carreras, who can saunter in from halfway.
06:08 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 7, 32 minutes
Chris Harris intercepts inside his own 22 to keep Saracens at bay.
06:06 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 7, 30 minutes
Handbags. Olly Hartley shoots up to clatter Chris Harris and Earl is over the ball. He is awarded the penalty and rubs the head of Afo Fasogbon, who had shunted into the ruck.
Fasogbon takes offence and there is a little scrap, with McFarland driving Fasgobon off Earl.
06:04 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 7, 29 minutes
Saracens win a turnover out wide but Val Rapava Ruskin gets stuck in to earn a penalty back the other way.
06:02 PM BST
Try, Nick Tompkins! Saracens 12 Gloucester 7, 26 minutes
That’s a self-inflicted wound for Gloucester. Another line-out goes awry and Dan bolts away with the ball. Fergus Burke makes a half-break from Ben Earl’s pull-back and lifts a flat pass to Tompkins. The defence is pretty flimsy, and Tompklins scurries over from around 40 metres. Burke converts this time.
06:00 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 24 minutes
Still a bit scrappy here. Theo Dan pounces for a jackal turnover and a kick from Gareth Anscombe is partially charged down. Daly and Segun then cannot connect out wide.
05:57 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 23 minutes
Alec Clarey is on for Marco Riccioni, who is limping off in some discomfort.
05:55 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 21 minutes
Tobias Elliott tracks across well to drive Jake Morris into touch. Seb Atkinson is looking dangerous but that pass was a bit loopy and allowed Saracens to cut down Gloucester’s space.
05:54 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 21 minutes
More fierce defensive work from Jack Clement frustrates Saracens and wins a penalty.
05:53 PM BST
Match action
Here are the tries so far. First, Gloucester’s exceptional team score…
Trademark Gloucester ™️@gloucesterrugby go coast-to-coast for the opening try 🙌#GallagherPrem | #SARvGLOpic.twitter.com/2e3iynR7Rb
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) April 19, 2025
…and then Segun’s opportunistic solo finish:
Rotimi Segun with the lightning reactions and finish to put @Saracens on the board ⚡️#GallagherPrem | #SARvGLOpic.twitter.com/qtYkOnH5vP
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) April 19, 2025
05:49 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 15 minutes
Theo Dan has a scamper and shrugs off a Gloucester tackler but Val Rapava Ruskin and Lewis Ludlow combine for a turnover.
05:47 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 14 minutes
Atkinson prominent again, chipping across to Barton. He gets collared by Theo McFarland with his next touch.
Moments later, Tompkins rushes up to tackle Carreras and that energy earns a breakdown penalty.
05:45 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 12 minutes
Flash of clas from Seb Atkinson, who hits the line and offloads to Morris. Morris gets the ball back off George Barton but Elliot Daly is there to make a strong cover tackle.
05:43 PM BST
Try, Rotimi Segun! Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 10 minutes
The hosts respond rapidly. Tomos Williams cleared unconvincingly from the restart but it appeared as though Gloucester’s defence had a foothold when Jack Clement whacked Elliot Daly. Saracens kept hold of the ball, thouugh, and Rotimi Segun escaped down the blindside off the back of a messy ruck. Fergus Burke misses the kick. Breathless stuff.
05:40 PM BST
Try, Chris Harris! Saracens 0 Gloucester 7, 7 minutes
What a try! Gloucester go wide via a midfield wrap-around and Carreras releasees Jake Morris down the left. There is a neat grubber in-field and the bouncing ball evades Ben Earl, allowing Chris Harris to cap a 60-metre move.
Carreras converts.
05:38 PM BST
Saracens 0 Gloucester 0, 4 minutes
Nick Tompkins bursts away from the scrum and feeds Tobias Elliott, who hooks an overhead pass in-field to Elliot Daly.
Tom Willis and Marco Riccioni carry in midfield but Gloucester hold firm and Daly spills close to the left touchline.
05:35 PM BST
Saracens 0 Gloucester 0, 3 minutes
First scrum here after a knock-on in midfield from Gloucester. Stuttering start thus far.
05:34 PM BST
Saracens 0 Gloucester 0, 2 minutes
Jovial (I think) chant of “We hate Saracens” from the away section to the right of the press box.
05:33 PM BST
Saracens 0 Gloucester 0, 2 minutes
Jack Singleton overthrows. Early opportunity missed for Gloucester.
05:32 PM BST
Saracens 0 Gloucester 0, 1 minute
Decent defence initially from Saracens but Gloucester stay patient and the hosts cough up a breakdown penalty. Carreras will go for touch… and it’s a nice strike. Gloucester line-out around five or six metres out.
05:31 PM BST
Kick-off
We are away! Santi Carreras gets us going with a high strike. Olly Hartley spills but Ivan van Zyl mops up and clears to touch.
05:28 PM BST
Two minutes to go
We are waiting for the players to re-emerge from the changing rooms. It’s pretty breezy, as it always seems to be here, and it’s quite chilly in the shade. Otherwise, the conditions are gorgeous.
05:21 PM BST
Wigan-bound Christian Wade…
…is here as one of Gloucester’s travelling reserves. That was a surprise move.
05:11 PM BST
A changing table
Bath have held on to oust Exeter Chiefs as well. They extend their lead at the top and Sale shoot right up to third with their win over Harlequins.
Whoever wins here will tear up the table into the top three. It’s very, very tight.
05:03 PM BST
Half an hour to go
This should be very interesting and decorated by plenty of tries.
04:59 PM BST
Game over
As I pressed publish on that last entry, Harlequins coughed up an interception in their own 22. Tom Roebuck scored and Sale are surely home and hosed at 43-29 up.
04:56 PM BST
Update from Twickenham
Harlequins have rallied at the Twickenham Stoop and are with seven points at 36-29…
04:44 PM BST
Away end trial
This game has been chosen as one of a few to trial a segregated section for away supporters. I will report back…
04:42 PM BST
Good afternoon everyone
Hello everyone and welcome to live text commentary of what should be a fascinating and pivotal Premiership encounter. I am at StoneX Stadium, where Saracens are hosting Gloucester. And this is as close to a domestic 10-pointer as one could want.
Mark McCall’s team are in sixth as things stand, two points behind today’s opponents. Gloucester sit fourth – they are likely to slip down from there prior to kick-off because Sale Sharks are beating Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop – but are deservedly in the play-off picture.
There is about 50 minutes until kick-off and the sun is out in north London. If you want a prediction, I reckon Saracens should take this one with a four-try bonus-point. They have picked a loaded team, with their England regulars back after mandated rest. This is their line-up:
15. Elliot Daly; 14. Tobias Elliott, 13. Nick Tompkins, 12. Olly Hartley, 11. Rotimi Segun; 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Theo Dan, 3. Marco Riccioni, 4. Maro Itoje (captain), 5, Nick Isiekwe, 6. Theo McFarland, 7. Ben Earl, 8. Tom Willis
Replacements: 16. Jamie George, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Alex Clarey, 19. Hugh Tizard, 20. Andy Onyeama-Christie, 21. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 22. Charlie Bracken, 23. Alex Goode
George Skivington is without Christian Wade, who is off to rugby league with Wigan Warriors, and Max Llewelleyn among a few others. George Barton starting on the right wing is an intriguing one that reflects thin resources in the back three. Even so, Gloucester Arthur Clark and Seb Atkinson back. They have plenty of talent and will give it a crack as they have been doing throughout this term.
15. Santi Carreras; 14. George Barton, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Seb Atkinson, 11. Jake Morris; 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Tomos Williams; 1. Val Rapava Ruskin, 2. Jack Singleton, 3. Afo Fasogbon, 4. Arthur Clark, 5. Freddie Thomas, 6. Jack Clement, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ruan Ackermann
Replacements: 16. Seb Blake, 17. Jamal Ford-Robinson, 18. Kiril Gotovtsev, 19. Cam Jordan, 21. Caolan Englefield, 22. Charlie Atkinson, 23. Jack Cotgreave
Saracens 36 Gloucester 14
Official away sections made an intriguing introduction to the Premiership as Saracens returned to the top four by dismissing Gloucester despite a clunky first half.
The hosts eventually registered five tries on the way to a routine win that was capped by a brilliant solo effort from Juan Martin Gonzalez and never really required them to leave third gear.
This fixture had been earmarked as one several that will trial designated sections for away supporters and a group of travelling fans made it their intention to generate some noise.
There were chants of “We hate Saracens” and “London’s a s—hole” early on as well as a more wholesome song praising Carreras. While the language might not have been to everyone’s taste, the atmosphere created was far from hostile.
A security guard did need to deliver a gentle warning, but the tone never dipped below slightly edgy. As if to underline as much, a Saracens supporter who could not have been older than 13 turned around to the away section midway through the second period, as Gloucester trailed 26-14, and cheekily asked about the scoreline. In response, there were joking demands to evict the mischievous youngster.
Away sections do not appeal to everyone, but will not endanger what is seen by many as a core staple of rugby union: the ability for opposing fans to sit together. That can still happen, and did today.
In truth, the rowdiest contingent of Gloucester supporters in this game would have congregated anyway without the designated away section in the west stand. And a total attendance of just 8,400 was always likely to leave them conspicuous. In any case, this trial is worth rolling out on a wider basis.
Meanwhile, a more familiar sight is that of Saracens timing their run towards the Premiership play-off rounds.
Gloucester led at the break but would have been disappointed not to register a bonus-point after fading under pressure from the hosts’ maul and the impact of a strong bench.
Theo Dan benefitted from robust line-out drives for each of his two tries, while Gonzalez and Jamie George scored from the bench. A Santiago Carreras interception had given George Skivington’s team a 14-12 advantage in the 34th minute, yet Gloucester would not add a single point from there.
Saracens were far from slick and struggled for fluency at times, even if they had been replenished by their England regulars such as skipper Maro Itoje. However, they strangled aspects of their opponents’ game. Nick Isiekwe was outstanding as a line-out spoiler.
07:23 PM BST
Full-time, Saracens 36 Gloucester 14
That’s it. Gloucester are held up over the try-line and the game is done. A tired bout of pushing and shoving greets the final whistle but the visitors will be disappointed that they did not register a bonus point despite leading at half-time.
07:18 PM BST
Saracens 36 Gloucester 14, 78 minutes
Gloucester pushing for a third try here as time ticks down.
07:16 PM BST
Try, Jamie George! Saracens 36 Gloucester 14, 75 minutes
Jamie George has made an eye-catching cameo and he complements it with a try. Itoje snaffles the ball from a line-out and rushes through before feeding his England colleague, who has the pace to reach the line with a dive.
07:13 PM BST
Saracens 31 Gloucester 14, 70 minutes
Nick Isiekwe comes off. he’s been excellent for Saracens.
07:10 PM BST
Try, Juan Martin Gonzalez! Saracens 31 Gloucester 14, 70 minutes
Juan Martin Gonzalez is a remarkable player and that is a remarkable try, which ends the game as a contest. He chased a Van Zyl’s box kick, made the tackle and burrowed into the breakdown.Upon emerging with the ball, he sprinted into the clear and then stepped back inside to beat a covering defender before diving over. Phenomenal.
07:05 PM BST
Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 66 minutes
Trademark Chris Harris. He reads a short pass from Onyeama-Christie and jams in to tackle Tompkins, who spills.
07:01 PM BST
Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 64 minutes
Saracens scrum penalty as Tom Willis makes way for Andy Onyeama-Christie. Itoje rises to take a line-out and Gloucester infringe.
06:59 PM BST
Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 62 minutes
Gloucester’s line-out works, which has been a rarity today, and their maul gathers steam. Earl does well around the fringes, though, tackling Williams to force a knock-on.
Maro Itoje is down receiving treatment… his left ankle seems to be the issue.
06:56 PM BST
Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 60 minutes
A rampaging run down the tramlines by Jamie George almost brings a Saracens fifth. The hosts have noticeably raised the speed of this one. Can Gloucester hang on?
06:51 PM BST
Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 55 minutes
Just as I was about to write that Saracens were squeezing Gloucester, Gloucester win a scrum penalty. They’ll have line-out on the 10-metre line.
It’s messy again, with Isiewek pressurising, and Rhys Carre swoops for a breakdown penalty. Theo McFarland is being replaced by Juan Martin Gonzalez now as well.
06:49 PM BST
Try, Theo Dan! Saracens 26 Gloucester 14, 52 minutes
That is the bonus point, and it’s another drive dotted down by Dan. After a delay while referee Adam Leal sorts out his communication link, Burke bags the conversion.
The teams have replaced their respective front rows.
06:45 PM BST
Saracens 19 Gloucester 14, 50 minutes
Daly’s long pass to Burke sweeps Saracens into the Gloucester 22, where they pick up another penalty and hit the corner.
06:43 PM BST
Saracens 19 Gloucester 14, 47 minutes
Good response from Gloucester. They block a Daly clearance and get a scrum before spreading the ball wide to Barton. Daly is across to make a robust tackle into touch.
06:40 PM BST
Try, Theo Dan! Saracens 19 Gloucester 14, 45 minutes
The maul gathers impetus and Dan is at the tail to score. Burke converts well from close to the left touchline.
06:38 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 43 minutes
Sharper from the Saracens backs as Segun goes on another bristling run, bypassing George Barton out wide. Daly cuts an angle a couple of phases later and Gloucester infringe at the breakdown.
06:35 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 41 minutes
A spot of kick-tennis ends with Daly clearing to touch to set up a Gloucester line-out… that is stolen by Isiekewe.
06:34 PM BST
Players back out
A significant 40 minutes lies ahead in the context of the Premiership season.
06:18 PM BST
Half-time, Saracens 12 Gloucester 14
Could that be costly? Gloucester’s line-out malfunctions again and Saracens can kick the ball off to end the opening 40 minutes. Gloucester deserve this skinny lead. Saracens have been too inaccurate with the ball.
06:17 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 39 minutes
Interesting. Gloucester win a breakdown penalty in the shadow of the posts – Tompkins failed to roll away before Earl burrowed in to compete – but turn down an easy three points to go to the corner.
06:15 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 39 minutes
Nick Isiekwe is up highest, but knocks on. Gloucester put-in.
06:14 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 38 minutes
Gloucester have Saracens rattled, no doubt. Rapava Ruskin forces another breakdown turnover and Carreras taps. That initially looks a rather questionable decision as he scuffs a kick ahead. But Daly coughs up a knock-on when covering across.
We will restart the action with a Gloucester line-out just inside the Saracens 22. This feels like a big two minutes.
06:10 PM BST
Try, Santiago Carreras! Saracens 12 Gloucester 14, 34 minutes
Wow, this has been sloppy from Saracens. Another of their attacks inside the Gloucester 22 comes to nothing before Elliott and Segun spark a counter. Then Tompkins throws a pass directly to Carreras, who can saunter in from halfway.
06:08 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 7, 32 minutes
Chris Harris intercepts inside his own 22 to keep Saracens at bay.
06:06 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 7, 30 minutes
Handbags. Olly Hartley shoots up to clatter Chris Harris and Earl is over the ball. He is awarded the penalty and rubs the head of Afo Fasogbon, who had shunted into the ruck.
Fasogbon takes offence and there is a little scrap, with McFarland driving Fasgobon off Earl.
06:04 PM BST
Saracens 12 Gloucester 7, 29 minutes
Saracens win a turnover out wide but Val Rapava Ruskin gets stuck in to earn a penalty back the other way.
06:02 PM BST
Try, Nick Tompkins! Saracens 12 Gloucester 7, 26 minutes
That’s a self-inflicted wound for Gloucester. Another line-out goes awry and Dan bolts away with the ball. Fergus Burke makes a half-break from Ben Earl’s pull-back and lifts a flat pass to Tompkins. The defence is pretty flimsy, and Tompklins scurries over from around 40 metres. Burke converts this time.
06:00 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 24 minutes
Still a bit scrappy here. Theo Dan pounces for a jackal turnover and a kick from Gareth Anscombe is partially charged down. Daly and Segun then cannot connect out wide.
05:57 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 23 minutes
Alec Clarey is on for Marco Riccioni, who is limping off in some discomfort.
05:55 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 21 minutes
Tobias Elliott tracks across well to drive Jake Morris into touch. Seb Atkinson is looking dangerous but that pass was a bit loopy and allowed Saracens to cut down Gloucester’s space.
05:54 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 21 minutes
More fierce defensive work from Jack Clement frustrates Saracens and wins a penalty.
05:53 PM BST
Match action
Here are the tries so far. First, Gloucester’s exceptional team score…
Trademark Gloucester ™️@gloucesterrugby go coast-to-coast for the opening try 🙌#GallagherPrem | #SARvGLOpic.twitter.com/2e3iynR7Rb
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) April 19, 2025
…and then Segun’s opportunistic solo finish:
Rotimi Segun with the lightning reactions and finish to put @Saracens on the board ⚡️#GallagherPrem | #SARvGLOpic.twitter.com/qtYkOnH5vP
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) April 19, 2025
05:49 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 15 minutes
Theo Dan has a scamper and shrugs off a Gloucester tackler but Val Rapava Ruskin and Lewis Ludlow combine for a turnover.
05:47 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 14 minutes
Atkinson prominent again, chipping across to Barton. He gets collared by Theo McFarland with his next touch.
Moments later, Tompkins rushes up to tackle Carreras and that energy earns a breakdown penalty.
05:45 PM BST
Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 12 minutes
Flash of clas from Seb Atkinson, who hits the line and offloads to Morris. Morris gets the ball back off George Barton but Elliot Daly is there to make a strong cover tackle.
05:43 PM BST
Try, Rotimi Segun! Saracens 5 Gloucester 7, 10 minutes
The hosts respond rapidly. Tomos Williams cleared unconvincingly from the restart but it appeared as though Gloucester’s defence had a foothold when Jack Clement whacked Elliot Daly. Saracens kept hold of the ball, thouugh, and Rotimi Segun escaped down the blindside off the back of a messy ruck. Fergus Burke misses the kick. Breathless stuff.
05:40 PM BST
Try, Chris Harris! Saracens 0 Gloucester 7, 7 minutes
What a try! Gloucester go wide via a midfield wrap-around and Carreras releasees Jake Morris down the left. There is a neat grubber in-field and the bouncing ball evades Ben Earl, allowing Chris Harris to cap a 60-metre move.
Carreras converts.
05:38 PM BST
Saracens 0 Gloucester 0, 4 minutes
Nick Tompkins bursts away from the scrum and feeds Tobias Elliott, who hooks an overhead pass in-field to Elliot Daly.
Tom Willis and Marco Riccioni carry in midfield but Gloucester hold firm and Daly spills close to the left touchline.
05:35 PM BST
Saracens 0 Gloucester 0, 3 minutes
First scrum here after a knock-on in midfield from Gloucester. Stuttering start thus far.
05:34 PM BST
Saracens 0 Gloucester 0, 2 minutes
Jovial (I think) chant of “We hate Saracens” from the away section to the right of the press box.
05:33 PM BST
Saracens 0 Gloucester 0, 2 minutes
Jack Singleton overthrows. Early opportunity missed for Gloucester.
05:32 PM BST
Saracens 0 Gloucester 0, 1 minute
Decent defence initially from Saracens but Gloucester stay patient and the hosts cough up a breakdown penalty. Carreras will go for touch… and it’s a nice strike. Gloucester line-out around five or six metres out.
05:31 PM BST
Kick-off
We are away! Santi Carreras gets us going with a high strike. Olly Hartley spills but Ivan van Zyl mops up and clears to touch.
05:28 PM BST
Two minutes to go
We are waiting for the players to re-emerge from the changing rooms. It’s pretty breezy, as it always seems to be here, and it’s quite chilly in the shade. Otherwise, the conditions are gorgeous.
05:21 PM BST
Wigan-bound Christian Wade…
…is here as one of Gloucester’s travelling reserves. That was a surprise move.
05:11 PM BST
A changing table
Bath have held on to oust Exeter Chiefs as well. They extend their lead at the top and Sale shoot right up to third with their win over Harlequins.
Whoever wins here will tear up the table into the top three. It’s very, very tight.
05:03 PM BST
Half an hour to go
This should be very interesting and decorated by plenty of tries.
04:59 PM BST
Game over
As I pressed publish on that last entry, Harlequins coughed up an interception in their own 22. Tom Roebuck scored and Sale are surely home and hosed at 43-29 up.
04:56 PM BST
Update from Twickenham
Harlequins have rallied at the Twickenham Stoop and are with seven points at 36-29…
04:44 PM BST
Away end trial
This game has been chosen as one of a few to trial a segregated section for away supporters. I will report back…
04:42 PM BST
Good afternoon everyone
Hello everyone and welcome to live text commentary of what should be a fascinating and pivotal Premiership encounter. I am at StoneX Stadium, where Saracens are hosting Gloucester. And this is as close to a domestic 10-pointer as one could want.
Mark McCall’s team are in sixth as things stand, two points behind today’s opponents. Gloucester sit fourth – they are likely to slip down from there prior to kick-off because Sale Sharks are beating Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop – but are deservedly in the play-off picture.
There is about 50 minutes until kick-off and the sun is out in north London. If you want a prediction, I reckon Saracens should take this one with a four-try bonus-point. They have picked a loaded team, with their England regulars back after mandated rest. This is their line-up:
15. Elliot Daly; 14. Tobias Elliott, 13. Nick Tompkins, 12. Olly Hartley, 11. Rotimi Segun; 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Theo Dan, 3. Marco Riccioni, 4. Maro Itoje (captain), 5, Nick Isiekwe, 6. Theo McFarland, 7. Ben Earl, 8. Tom Willis
Replacements: 16. Jamie George, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Alex Clarey, 19. Hugh Tizard, 20. Andy Onyeama-Christie, 21. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 22. Charlie Bracken, 23. Alex Goode
George Skivington is without Christian Wade, who is off to rugby league with Wigan Warriors, and Max Llewelleyn among a few others. George Barton starting on the right wing is an intriguing one that reflects thin resources in the back three. Even so, Gloucester Arthur Clark and Seb Atkinson back. They have plenty of talent and will give it a crack as they have been doing throughout this term.
15. Santi Carreras; 14. George Barton, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Seb Atkinson, 11. Jake Morris; 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Tomos Williams; 1. Val Rapava Ruskin, 2. Jack Singleton, 3. Afo Fasogbon, 4. Arthur Clark, 5. Freddie Thomas, 6. Jack Clement, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ruan Ackermann
Replacements: 16. Seb Blake, 17. Jamal Ford-Robinson, 18. Kiril Gotovtsev, 19. Cam Jordan, 21. Caolan Englefield, 22. Charlie Atkinson, 23. Jack Cotgreave
