Saints produce superb fightback as they claim statement win against Gloucester

The black, green and gold had been on the back foot for the first half an hour of the match, conceding two tries and losing scrum-half Alex Mitchell to injury.

But 20-year-old Jonny Weimann came on and Saints eventually managed to regroup, staying in the fight and using their forward power to find a way back into the match.

Tom Pearson and Curtis Langdon both profited from big lineout drives before the break, with Anthony Belleau's two conversions helping to level the scores.

Saints then kept the door locked in the second period while pushing on at the other end of the pitch.

Belleau's fine pass provided a try for George Hendy, and Rory Hutchinson came off the bench to produce a clever finish that secured the try bonus point for Saints.

Gloucester continued to try to respond, but they were unable to get anything for their efforts as Saints kept them at arm's length late on to earn a statement success.

It was made all the more impressive by the fact Gloucester had come into the Gallagher PREM weekend sitting top of the table and the fact they had started so well at DPD Stadium at Franklin's Gardens.

George Skivington's side showed their teeth at scrum time early on, winning a penalty that allowed them to fire the ball into the Saints 22.

Saints resisted the lineout drive really well but they were cut open far too easily when the ball was moved to the backs as Max Llewellyn picked up an offload to score.

George Barton added the extras and it had been a really bright start for the away side, who continued to dictate against a Saints side who were finding it tough to get going.

Hendy had to do some good work to get back and cover after Will Joseph kicked ahead.

When Saints got the ball in the away half, Gloucester were frenzied at the breakdown, attacking everything and winning penalties to relieve any minor pressure.

Saints then suffered a big blow as Mitchell was forced off on 21 minutes, bringing Weimann into the action.

Gloucester also lost a man to a HIA as Seb Blake went off to be replaced by Wales international Dewi Lake.

Saints were under siege though and they just couldn't get out, with Gloucester threatening to add to their lead.

Eventually the away side got their reward as Joseph powered through the middle, holding off Hendy before diving over under the posts.

Saints desperately needed a spark and they finally got something going when Belleau's brilliant kick to the corner gave them great field position to launch an attack.

The home side drove well before Pearson took responsibility, grabbing the ball and diving over the line.

Belleau converted and Saints suddenly had a spring in their step.

The black, green and gold turned down an easy shot at goal with the clock in the red, and their bravery was rewarded as they kicked to the corner and the forwards cranked up the heat, allowing Langdon to go over on the back of a dominant drive.

Belleau converted to level the scores at the break and both sides traded blows in a frantic start to the second half, with defences having to work hard to shut the opposition out in their own 22s.

The Saints fans were doing their bit to try to push their side to the try line, but Gloucester were looking strong defensively, as they had for so much of the match.

The Cherry and Whites stole a lineout just inside their own 22 and scrum-half Caolan Englefield cleared well before Saints conceded a penalty to put themselves under more pressure.

Saints managed to respond though, getting out again, but there was seemingly no way through the Gloucester rearguard.

Saints kept coming though and after some big carries sucked Gloucester in through the middle, Belleau fired a fantastic long pass out to the left for Hendy to score.

Belleau converted brilliantly and Saints then broke out in flying fashion as Tommy Freeman led the charge before Belleau and Fraser Dingwall took up the fight.

Arthur Clark was penalised for some lazy obstruction and Saints kicked to the corner to attempt to turn the screw.

That was exactly what they did, cranking up the heat before Hutchinson used his snake hips to find a way to score, stretching out an arm to get the ball down.

Belleau converted before Hendy Pollock had to do some fine work to get back to stop Barton scoring at the other end.

Saints had a chance of their own soon after as Weimann intercepted, but his pass for Freeman didn't stick and Gloucester got a key reprieve with 10 minutes left to play.

The Cherry and Whites were desperately searching for a way back into the game, but Saints showed excellent defensive desire, stopping them from producing any attacks of note and preventing them from taking anything home from the Gardens.

Saints: 15 James Pater; 14 Ollie Sleightholme (Rory Hutchinson 59), 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Fraser Dingwall (c), 11 George Hendy; 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Alex Mitchell (Jonny Weimann 21); 1 Emmanuel Iyogun (Danilo Fischetti 56), 2 Curtis Langdon (Robbie Smith 56), 3 Cleopas Kundiona (Ion Neculai 56); 4 Alex Coles (Tom Lockett 78), 5 Ed Prowse (JJ van der Mescht 63); 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Tom Pearson (Henry Pollock 68), 8 Callum Chick.

Gloucester: 15 George Barton; 14 Will Joseph, 13 Max Llewelyn, 12 Seb Atkinson (c), 11 Will Knight (Ben Redshaw 69); 10 Charlie Atkinson, 9 Caolan Englefield (Dan Robson 65); 1 Val Rapava Ruskin (Dian Bleuler 53), 2 Seb Blake (Dewi Lake 22), 3 Afo Fasogbon (Ciaran Knight 53); 4 Jean Kleyn (Will Trenholm 63), 5 Arthur Clark; 6 Freddie Thomas, 7 Deian Gwynne (Jac Morgan 53), 8 Jack Clement (Lewis Ludlow 76).

Referee: Sara Cox