Boyd: We had guts but little composure

NORTHAMPTON’S director of rugby Chris Boyd said: “It’s disappointing to lose it at the end but at times we were not composed enough so we didn’t build up enough pressure.

“We showed a lot of guts in that second half and succeeded in putting them off their game.”

Saints’ tireless flanker, Lewis Ludlam had no complaints about Gloucester’s last minute winner.

He said: “Rugby is a game of ifs and buts so we have to focus on our performance. Losing hurt but we put pressure on ourselves by giving them too much ball.”

Gloucester’s matchwinner Geraint Grobler said: “The conditions were very tough and it was hard to be accurate at the lineouts. However we were our own worst enemies as we weren’t patience enough although we did get some good momentum going forward.

“It’s nice to have a win but next week’s Premiership game against Leicester is the real deal.”

Gloucester coach Tim Taylor explained the decision to play Mark Atkinson at fly-half.

“We wanted to give Mark a chance with Billy (Twelvetrees) working outside him but it’s tough not having played in that position for some time and he did have a tough time.

“It was a nervy finish but the boys showed great resilience and fight as we knew it would be tough when the weather closed in.”