Gareth Steenson helps kick leaders Exeter to hard-fought victory over Gloucester
Exeter captain Gareth Steenson kicked 16 points to lead the Chiefs to a hard-fought 26-15 win over Gloucester at Kingsholm.
In difficult conditions, the veteran fly-half’s kicking was exemplary as he added the extras to tries from Jacques Vermeulen and Stuart Hogg as well as slotting over four penalties.
The result sees Exeter extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to five points over Northampton.
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Gloucester responded with late tries from Jake Polledri and Louis Rees-Zammit but it was not enough to prevent the fourth-placed hosts from suffering a sixth defeat of the campaign.
Exeter began strongly and took a 10th-minute lead when they declined a kickable penalty in favour of an attacking line-out and were rewarded when Vermeulen forced his way over.
Steenson converted but Chiefs bungled the restart to allow the hosts their first period of pressure. It was a sustained one and Gloucester should have taken something from it but they neglected to kick a straightforward penalty in favour of a scrum, and the opportunity was lost when the home pack were shunted backwards.
Gloucester suffered a blow when they lost scrum-half Joe Simpson to injury but they overcame that to get on the scoreboard in the 25th minute when Billy Twelvetrees knocked over a penalty.
Eager to back on the horse was our Stuart! https://t.co/V77mdsUZEJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 14, 2020
The Cherry and Whites continued to have the better of the second quarter with two superb lengthy touch-finders from Danny Cipriani keeping Chiefs penned in their own half, but Gloucester could make little headway against a resolute defence so they trailed 7-3 at the interval.
Exeter had the advantage of the wind in the second half and seven minutes into it, they extended their lead when Steenson kicked a 40-metre penalty.
And in the space of the next 12 minutes, the 35-year-old was on target with three further penalties from similar range as Exeter turned the screw in the third quarter.
Trailing 19-3 and looking to reverse their fortunes, Gloucester made four changes to their pack in one swoop but it was to no avail as Exeter sealed victory with the best move of the match.
Hogg started it from inside his own half with an elusive run before the Scotland full-back was on hand to race the final 15 metres to score after skilful inter-passing had created the opportunity.
Steenson kept up his perfect kicking by converting but Gloucester showed spirit in the final 15 minutes and were rewarded with tries from replacement flanker Polledri and wing Rees-Zammit.
– Press Association
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Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments