Glaws bow out of LV= Cup

Gloucester are out of the LV= Cup. Their 26-7 defeat at Northampton means they can't qualify for the later stages of the competition after a lesson in set-piece rugby from the Saints.

The home team dominated the scrum and the line-out and were full value for their victory, though there were one or two plus points for Glaws, including the try-scoring return to action for Ryan Mills at stand-off.

He converted his try for the cherry and whites’ only points, but Glaws made it clear with their team choice that this season’s priorities lie elsewhere, using the game to give younger players and others needing game time a chance.

Coach Carl Hogg was disappointed with the result, but not downhearted.

He told the Citizen: “I thought our defence was outstanding at times and we certainly worked them hard on that front.

“But their experience and set-piece control told on us.

“It denied us any real field position, and so we had to try to launch attacks from deep.

“It was great to see Andy Hazell and Ryan Mills back, and new signing Lua Lokotui showed up well too.”

One man delighted with the game if not the result, was Hazell, who told the club website: “It’s nice to be back with the lads and feel as if I am contributing.

“I felt all right, a bit tired towards the end, though I’ve been working all these weeks. But I want to get back that match sharpness.

“I’m glad the first game back is out of the way. I enjoyed it, it was tough and physical and it was what I enjoy about rugby.”

There’s every chance Glaws will treat next weekend’s home game with Bath, their last in the LV= this season, in the same way before the return to Premiership action against Northampton a week later.