Charlie Hynes rates the performances of the Gloucester players in Friday’s 34-18 win over Exeter

15. Santiago Carreras – 7

The Argentine took a great high ball early on as he leapt above the onrushing Chiefs chasers and looked dangerous with ball in hand as he made 27 metres from six carries and beat two defenders and looked to offload. He recovered well in defence after being caught out by Josh Hodge’s early break for the first Exeter try as the youngster left him for dead.

14. Louis Rees-zammit – 8

For the first half, Rees-zammit was a spectator as he went without a touch of the ball. However, in the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Welshman made numerous breaks down the right-hand side as Atkinson looked to bring the youngster into the game. He made 65 metres from six carries with four clean breaks and beat three defenders. His best chance came after a great looping pass from Atkinson let Rees-zammit stride out, but was unable to give the inside pass to Twelvetrees with the Chiefs defence on his heels.

13. Billy Twelvetrees – 5

The centre was caught out early on when the pace of Hodge proved too much as he let him get onto his outside and slipped the tackle. Shortly after, he received a yellow for a high tackle on Hodge as the young fullback slipped into the tackle. This was one of three tackles missed by the 32-year-old as he made seven tackles in defence.

12. Mark Atkinson – 9

The 31-year-old showed the Cherry and Whites exactly what they had been missing after his recent spell on the sidelines with injury. He made 19 metres from nine carries and brought the hosts’ threatening wide players into the game in the second half to put his side on the front foot. His role off first phase as the number one ball carrier offers George Barton the opportunity to evaluate his options and give him more time on the ball as they attack the line. A pivotal defence-unlocking display.

11. Jonny May – 8

The England winger was unlucky with two try attempts. The first was an acrobatic dive for the corner, but his foot was just marginally in touch on take-off. The second was more clearcut – his knee grazing the touchline as Hodge bundled him off the field. He made 46 metres from 13 carries as he beat nine defenders with two clean breaks.

10. George Barton – 7

Barton was under pressure early on but grew into the game as he kicked well to put his team in good positions. He was composed with ball in hand as the game went on and made 14 metres from four carries and beat four defenders. He stood up well in defence, making 12 tackles as Chiefs carried with pace and aggression.

9. Willi Heinz – 5

It was a hit and miss first half for the veteran scrum-half. His box kicking was good but his kick in the opening six minutes proved too long as it allowed Josh Hodge time to plan his long road to the try line for the Chiefs’ opening try. A lack of accuracy when passing from the base stunted Gloucester’s ability to get out of their own half, which took the emphasis from their attacking efforts.

1. Val Rapava-ruskin – 7

Rapava-ruskin bought physicality to the

Gloucester pack with some big hits on the Chiefs ball carriers, including a dominant tackle on Don Armand in the opening minutes. He made 11 tackles in his time on the pitch and was one of the few players that looked to compete at the breakdown for the hosts and created turnover ball with his clear-outs. The prop secured another turnover early in the second half to halt a Chiefs charge.

2. Henry Walker – 8

A brace of tries for Walker as he latched onto the back of the maul from two lineouts to score two identical tries from opposite sides of the field as the hosts piled in to drive the ball over. He was unfortunate not to get a third as he was held up after another rampaging maul. He was also Gloucester’s top tackler in defence with 13 tackles.

3. Fraser Balmain – 7

An intriguing battle up front against 22-year-old James Kenny as the momentum swung either way in the scrum throughout the game. In his 60 minutes on the field, he made 10 metres from seven carries and made six tackles.

4. Ed Slater – 7

Slater was once again working hard and doing the unglamorous work for his side. He made nine tackles and one turnover in defence as well as seven carries in attack.

5. Matias Alemanno – 7

Alemanno was solid under the kick-offs and made eight tackles in his 67 minutes on the field. He was the go-to man at the lineout with seven catches in the air.

6. Jordy Reid – 7

Reid was smashing into as many Exeter bodies as possible in defence and attack. Gloucester lacked pace in attack in the first half, but the Australian took the ball at pace, which made a clear difference in getting his side over the gain line. In defence, he made 12 tackles, eight of which came in the first half.

7. Lewis Ludlow – 7

The Cherry and Whites captain continued the theme of hard work from his pack with 10 tackles and making 41 metres. The majority of those metres came from a well-read intercept from Sam Hidalgo-clyne, but he was unable to out-pace Chiefs fly half Harvey Skinner as he was brought down just short.

8. Ruan Ackermann – 8

Ackermann grew into the game as he struggled to make an impact early on with Gloucester’s lateral play in attack. However, the South-african put some pace into his carries, which saw him take his side across the gain line. Overall, he made 17 carries in attack and 10 tackles.

REPLACEMENTS: 16 Santiago Socino – 6; 7 Alex Seville – 8; 18 Jamal Fordrobinson – 8; 19 Freddie Clarke – 6; 20 Ben Morgan – Unused; 21 Jack Clement – 6; 22 Charlie Chapman – 8; 23 Charlie Sharples – Unused ENERGY was what was required from the bench and that is what Gloucester’s replacements brought. The front row won important scrum penalties as Chiefs looked to find a way back into the game. Charlie Chapman made a big impression as he added life into the attack and scored his third try in two weeks. He looked a composed head as he box-kicked with distance and ordered his forwards around as they closed out the victory.