Zac Mercer produced another incredible performance as Gloucester secured a dramatic 27-25 victory over Leicester Tigers in a dramatic game.
England's underdogs were absolutely brilliant throughout and were a huge factor in the 17-3 lead they built in the first 35 minutes.
After Mercer scored the opening try with a touchdown, Santiago Carreras added a penalty and Chris Harris crossed the whitewash to extend the lead.
However, a piece of luck for Leicester that ultimately led to Tommy Leffell's goal changed the course of the game and further work from Solomone Kata, Jasper Weese and Jamie Silcock saw the hosts take the lead with nine minutes remaining. I stole it.
But Gloucester's No. 8 didn't deserve to be on the losing side and a brilliant late converted try from Stephen Varney saw the Cherry and Whites win the match.
After being left out of the World Cup and Six Nations squads, Mercer sent a message to Steve Borthwick and was officially named Man of the Match.
Ben Earl's performance ultimately justified Borthwick's decision, but this kind of display will definitely get him noticed on the New Zealand tour.
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The Tigers missed a good chance to take the lead in the 10th minute when Freddie Steward burst through down the right, but his loose pass was unable to be collected by winger Josh Bassett.
Eventually Silcock broke the deadlock with a simple penalty in the 22nd minute after Gloucester were found offside in front of their own posts.
Gloucester didn't have much possession of the ball, but in the 29th minute, quick hands from Max Llewellyn and Harris allowed Mercer to break through down the left flank and score the first try of the match.
Carreras added the conversion and the Argentine quickly extended Cherry and Los Blancos' lead to 10-3 with a penalty from the front of his stick.
A quick move after the lineout saw Carreras' ball connect inside Harris, with the Scottish center breaking through the tackle to score Gloucester's second try, and the score now reached the visitors.
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Carreras scored again, but Leicester gained a foothold in the final play of the first half when Leffel converted a no-contest from a driving maul.
The Tigers were up 18-7, but after an offensive lineout, center Kata was forced across the line in an armchair by a forward, and they pulled back five more points within three minutes of the restart.
Carreras' penalty restored Gloucester's lead to seven points, but a driving maul by the hosts proved fatal and Wiese became the third player to score from behind it.
Silcock's missed conversion cut the gap to two points, but that remained the case after Cherry and Whites captain Ruan Akerman converted a crucial turnover on Ollie Cracknell.
However, Leicester made a comeback with eight minutes remaining when Wiese played a pass to Jacques van Portvliet, who took a brilliant offload and found Silcock to clear and score.
But there was time for a final twist when Seb Blake offloaded Varney 40 meters from the line. The Italian scrum-half sprinted for the try and Carreras' conversion snatched victory.
it had to be so @Mercer8Zach 🤝
of @gloucester rugby Number 8 shakes off a tackle and scores in the corner 🍒#gallagherprem #LEIvGLO pic.twitter.com/umXrjtHCKE
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) March 22, 2024
Bristol defeat leaders Northampton
Leaders Northampton's six-game unbeaten run in the Gallagher Premiership came to an abrupt halt as they were beaten 52-21 by Bristol at Ashton Gate.
Saints still sit top of the table, but their return to the Premiership after an eight-week break during the Guinness Six Nations was a huge flop.
It was Bristol's first league defeat since November, but after an early scoring spree with tries from lock Joe Batley and scrum-half Harry Randall, there was nothing to complain about.
Fly-half AJ McGuinty added two conversions and a penalty, while in the second half prop Kyle Sinckler, Buttley's second-row partner James Dunn, winger Gabriel Ibitoye and substitute Max Mullins and Fred Davis scored and McGinty converted four more, with James Williams scoring. One is to secure a bonus point win for Bristol.
Bristol's win left them with a chance of making the play-offs, but it was a night to remember for Northampton. Northampton earned the points with two tries from Ollie Slightholm, a touchdown from Jake Garside and three conversions from Finn Smith.
Heavy rain pounded the ground and Bristol had to absorb some early pressure, but they took the lead after just six minutes.
Saints scrum-half Archie McParland, making his first start in the Premiership, attempted a defence-clearing kick, but Batley carefully gathered the momentum to fend off a challenge from full-back George Hendy, allowing McGinty to score the try.
After Buttley's goal, Bristol exuded confidence and twice came close to scoring from driven lineouts before McGinty's penalty made it 10-0 midway through the first half.
Northampton struggled to cope with Bristol's pace and width, but then the visiting defense unleashed in spectacular fashion.
McGinty made a great break from halfway and played an inside ball to Randall which saw the scrum-half run 40 meters to the line. McGinty converted and Northampton found themselves in all kinds of trouble.
Saints needed to score next, but despite several attacks inside Bristol's half, they were unable to break through the home defense and were awarded a penalty.
Bristol received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on on winger Siva Naulago, and he barely left the pitch until Northampton made a deal.
Sleightholme emerged as first receiver from a lineout 20 meters from Bristol's side and displayed incredible strength, tormenting four defenders before Smith's conversion cut Saints' lead to 10 points.
Randall attacked again as the interval approached, but Northampton managed to stop him, but then McGinty missed a diagonal penalty chance, increasing Bristol's advantage by the end of the first half.
England prop Ellis Genge came on for Bristol early in the second period but quickly found himself in trouble as Northampton came under relentless pressure.
Saints captain Lewis Ludlum has been charged with charges following a series of violations by his team. Bristol punished them when Sinckler fell for a try, which was converted by McGinty.
But Northampton turned around, collecting a well-placed kick from Smith and taking advantage of some sloppy Bristol defense, allowing Slightholm to score his second touchdown of the game.
Smith converted, but Bristol quickly resumed their attack and their adventure was rewarded by a Dunn touchdown. McGinty's conversion put the team over 30 points.
Northampton looked well beaten, but Bristol's fifth try was easy as Mullins sprinted through a wide gap. Garside's touchdown in the 66th minute was only a consolation as normal service was resumed with Davis scoring and Ibitoye adding the winning try.
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