Ten tries set Glaws up for showdown

Ten home tries in a thumping win isn’t a bad way to sign off a home season, and Gloucester certainly said farewell to Kingsholm for the summer in style as they brushed aside Sale with the sort of team display that has left the fans panting for more when the 2011-12 campaign gets under way.

But before that, there’s the small matter of the Premiership play-off at Saracens next Sunday, when Glaws will hopefully give a totally different account of themselves three weeks ago when they were themselves on the wrong end of a 35-12 thumping.

Beating Sale isn’t as difficult as it used to be, but no Premiership games are easy, and that makes the second-half performance all the more creditable.

Ahead 19-3 at half-time, it was clear Glaws were on a winner, but few could have guessed the score would hit 68-17 before the end.

The Lawsons, Rory and Scott, plus Henry Trinder scored first-half tries, and in a one-sided second half Trinder, Nicky Robinson James Simpson-Daniel, Dave Lewis and a Charlie Sharples hat-trick had the crowd roaring. Robinson converted seven and Tim Taylor two.

Coach Bryan Redpath told the BBC: "The first half was a little edgy, I think we tried to force things a little bit too much and we were too individual.

"The key to today was when we got back into simple and direct play, created some phases and started running with purpose.

"The boys have been outstanding for nine months and credit to them for finishing it off well in front of a big crowd, who have also been outstanding today and all season."

Running with purpose is the telling phrase there – they really did. Sale’s defence wasn’t the best and Sarries will tackle better, but it appears that Glaws have decided that the pace and power they have with ball in hand is their match-winner.

This game ended in such a one-sided manner that many fans will be hoping it doesn’t lull Glaws into a false sense of security before the trip to Sarries.

Redpath will be keen to ensure they go into the game in the right frame of mind – they certainly did in this one, and the coach appears to have got the measure of his squad.

After the frustration of last season and the occasional hiccup this time round, Glaws have finished their regular campaign in the sort of form that puts a spring in the steps of all in cherry and white.

Hopefully it will still be there after next weekend - they certainly won’t be making the journey as rank underdogs.