Reality check Saracens turn up the gears as Gloucester lead slips away

GLOUCESTER were dealt a reality check at the StoneX Stadium on Saturday as one of the Gallagher Premiership’s perennial play-off contenders, Saracens, turned up the gears in the second half to win 36-14 and leapfrog the Cherry and Whites in the table.

- John EVELY

Gloucester have been the surprise package in the Premiership this season, with their entertaining brand of rugby causing havoc to defences and winning plaudits from the neutrals, but for the second time in two weekends George Skivington’s side came unstuck against the power and ruthlessness of their opponents, having exited the Challenge Cup in a 61-26 defeat to Bath.

Sarries had to come back from a 14-12 half-time deficit on Saturday but barely gave their fellow play-off chasers a sniff after the break as the six-time champions leapfrogged them in the table to fifth with the visitors dropping down to sixth.

The good news for Gloucester is the club's run in with four rounds remaining is favourable, with ninth-place Exeter coming to Kingsholm this weekend and a trip to bottom-side Newcastle Falcons next month amongst the fixtures, along with Harlequins at Twickenham and Northampton at home.

Cherry and Whites director of rugby George Skivington summed it up perfectly post-match.

He said: "We've got four guaranteed games now and obviously next week (at home to Exeter) is massive for us."