Bath have surged back to the summit of the Gallagher Premiership thanks to Finn Russell’s clutch late penalties in a thrilling west country derby victory over Gloucester at Kingsholm. Despite trailing 21-7 midway through the second quarter, Bath fought back to win 30-26 and reclaim top spot, leapfrogging Northampton who play Sale this weekend.
Head coach Johann van Graan made 11 changes following Bath’s emphatic Champions Cup win against Edinburgh, but his side showed great resilience to earn a bonus-point success against a Gloucester team with just one league win this season. Bath’s replacements bench, packed with five England internationals, helped maintain composure under pressure as tries from Louie Hennessey, Dan Frost, Guy Pepper, and Russell, alongside his two conversions, secured victory.
Gloucester pushed hard throughout, with Val Rapava Ruskin, Charlie Atkinson, Seb Atkinson, and Afo Fasogbon all crossing the whitewash, while George Barton kicked three conversions to earn two bonus points despite defeat.
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Bath struck early, with captain Ben Spencer setting up Louie Hennessey for a try inside 135 seconds. Gloucester responded through Barton and Rapava Ruskin, before Charlie Atkinson’s close-range effort and Seb Atkinson’s try—both converted by Barton—put the home side 21-7 ahead.
Bath hit back before halftime, with Frost and Pepper touching down and Russell’s conversion cutting the deficit to 21-19 at the break. The second half saw fierce contesting as Gloucester’s Josiah Edwards-Giraud made a crucial try-saving tackle and Afo Fasogbon secured a bonus-point try.
Bath intensified their pressure after introducing five substitutes simultaneously. Despite strong Gloucester defense and a knock-on from Thomas du Toit denying Sam Underhill, Bath’s persistence paid off when Russell scored their fourth try. Although he missed that conversion, Russell’s composed penalties in the final minutes delivered the winning points, overcoming a Yellow card to Pepper and a subsequent knock-on from Gloucester’s Ciaran Knight to finish the game 30-26.