How the Cherry & White players rated in their opening-day defeat
15. Jason Woodward - 5
WOODWARD was unable to give his side solidity at full-back with the swirling wind creating problems under the high ball. The wind also proved an issue with kicking for territory as a couple of misjudged efforts went out on the full. The Leicester defence contained him as he was limited to two or three half breaks.
14. Charlie Sharples - 6
SHARPLES got little opportunity with the ball in hand in any decent amount of space. His individual highlight of the game came with a great tackle on Tigers winger Harry Potter after the Australian stole the spilled ball from a scrum and had a 30-metre run up at the winger.
13. Billy Twelvetrees - 5
THE former England centre started well, showing good carrying ability to try and get his side on the front foot. However, Gloucester’s ill discipline became their downfall late on and they couldn’t gain any foothold in the game with the outside centre giving away two turnovers. Slotted two of his three kicks from the tee.
12. Mark Atkinson - 6
ATKINSON showed what Gloucester could do if they applied pace and go forward into their attacking play. He hit a good line at pace off Cipriani off first phase in the first half but didn’t get many other opportunities.
11. Matt Banahan - 6
BANAHAN made the most ground of any Gloucester player, with 57 metres. The versatile back was not able to get the ball in space on enough occasions to make an impact outwide. However, he did well to keep the ball in field and offloaded to Rapava-ruskin in the build up to Gloucester’s first try.
10. Danny Cipriani - 6
THE maverick fly-half was trying to get his team to go forward by attacking the defensive line but could not quite find the holes. It appeared on a number of occasions that Cipriani’s teammates were not on the same wavelength as to when he would pick up the ball and drift to attempt to draw in defenders. He struggled with the wind on occasions with a number of kicks going out on the full at crucial times.
9. Joe Simpson - 6
SIMPSON was looking to add tempo to Gloucester’s attacking play but was stifled by Leicester defence and flat running of his forward ball carriers. The former Wasps’ man looked to to implement game management with his box kicking but was caught out by the wind on a couple of occasions. Picked up a try for his efforts as he ran one of his infamous support lines off the shoulder of Freddie Clarke for a poacher’s finish.
1. Val Rapava-ruskin - 6
THE afternoon started well for RapavaRuskin winning a scrum penalty after a Leicester score and Cipriani had put the ball out on the full from kick off. His carrying was used frequently off Joe Simpson but the defence remained firm, making 24 metres. This included his good half break to set up the first Gloucester try.
2. James Hanson - 7
DESPITE the hooker’s moment of madness late on when he stamped on Leicester’s Calum Green, Hanson made a solid return to the Gloucester side. Made the most tackles of any Cherry and Whites player with 13. The former Australia international also scored a try with a impressive finish as he scooped up the loose ball and rode two tackles to stretch over in the corner.
3. Jack Stanley - 5
ANOTHER Gloucester forward that was required work hard in defence with nine tackles to his name. A tough day at the scrum as the confidence of the Tigers pack grew throughout but the prop did well with Gloucester not losing a scrum.
4. Ed Slater - 6
THE former Leicester captain had a subdued afternoon as the whole Gloucester pack struggled against the Tigers. Slater worked hard in defence and contributed in Gloucester’s attacking attempts with seven carries.
5. Matt Garvey - 5
GARVEY was one of the many Gloucester forwards who were unable to cope with the dominant Leicester pack. This was evident later in the game as Garvey gave away a couple of penalties at the maul for changing his bind and working his way through the maul.
6. Jordy Reid - 7
THE dreadlocked flanker was one of Gloucester’s brighter sparks. He made a great effort in trying to give his side go forward from his carries when the team looked static in attack. He also made some bruising hits in defence. Reid showed good speed for a number six as he made a break down the left side in the build up to Gloucester’s second try.
7. Lewis Ludlow - 6
THE newly appointed club captain made a positive impact in his 32 minutes on the field. Ludlow was a key part of Gloucester’s lineout and contributed well in defence. The 26-year-old was removed from the field after a nasty looking head injury after his head collided with Stewart’s knee.
8. Ruan Ackermann - 7
ACKERMANN worked hard, making 31 metres from his carries against a strong and aggressive Tigers defence. The Cherry and Whites often looked for go forward from the South African but he was not quite able to replicate the metres that Gloucester manage when he combines with Jake Polledri. Replacements: 16. Henry Walker - N/A; 17. Corne Fourie - 6; 18. Jamal Ford-robinson - N/A; 19. Jamie Gibson - 6; 20. Freddie Clarke - 7; 21. Will Flinn - N/A; 22. Lloyd Evans - 6; 23. Tom Seabrook -6
THE bench were unable to offer the big impact that Gloucester required to mount a comeback but the likes of Clarke, Evans and Seabrook added a freshness to the side. Clarke was the standout performer from the bench, coming on for Ludlow, providing a great offloaded assist for Simpson’s try and some strong ball carrying. However, his yellow card for cynical maul play with 20 minutes to go halted Gloucester’s chances of getting back in the game.