Gloucester beat Harlequins 26-15 at Kingsholm to record their first Premiership win of the season at the sixth attempt. Full-back Ben Redshaw stole the show with two tries, while flanker Lewis Ludlow and wing Ollie Thorley also crossed for George Skivington’s side. Fly-half Ross Byrne added three conversions to complete the scoring.
Harlequins, whose England star Marcus Smith endured a frustrating afternoon, trailed by only two points at the interval but could not add to touchdowns from wing Cadan Murley and skipper Alex Dombrandt, with Smith kicking a conversion and a penalty. Quins produced only occasional glimpses of their trademark attacking game and second-half inaccuracy cost them as Gloucester eased to victory without hitting top gear.
Gloucester dominated early possession, but Harlequins struck first when Murley finished from a pinpoint pass after 10 minutes. Redshaw responded immediately with a solo try, beating several defenders, and Byrne converted. Quins regrouped despite losing prop Titi Lamositele, with Dombrandt scoring his 50th Premiership try and Smith adding the extras for a 12-7 lead. Handling errors stalled Gloucester, but Rodrigo Isgro’s misplaced kick gifted Ludlow a try on his 250th appearance, Byrne converting to give Gloucester a 14-12 half-time lead.
On the hour mark Redshaw pounced for his second try and Byrne’s conversion stretched Gloucester clear. Smith reduced the deficit with a penalty, but Thorley’s finish in the corner restored Gloucester’s control and they held on to deny Quins a losing bonus point, finally igniting their Premiership campaign.
Northampton unbeaten start halted at Bristol
Northampton’s unbeaten start came to an emphatic end as they were hammered 46-12 by Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate. Saints were reduced to 14 men early when Edoardo Todaro was sent off for a dangerous aerial challenge on Sam Worsley, and Bristol ran in six tries.
Scrum-half Kieran Marmion scored twice, with Tom Jordan, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Aidan Boshoff and Luka Ivanishvili also crossing. Sam Worsley kicked five conversions and two penalties. JJ van der Mescht and Tom Litchfield scored Northampton’s tries, one converted by Fin Smith.
Saints endured a nightmare opening as Todaro’s dismissal handed Bristol momentum. Marmion darted over from a quick tap penalty, Jordan added another after a sharp angle, and Marmion’s second followed a strong burst and slick passing. Despite losing Jack Bates to injury (replaced by Louis Rees‑Zammit), Bristol’s pressure continued; Van Rensburg’s tackle sprung Ravouvou to race 45 metres for a score, and Boshoff’s try completed a dominant 35-0 half-time lead.
After the break Northampton replied through Van der Mescht, but Worsley’s penalty kept Bristol firmly ahead. Litchfield added a second Saints try, yet Worsley’s penalty and Ivanishvili’s driving score from a line-out sealed Bristol’s comprehensive victory.