Gloucester Rugby were beaten 45-14 by Leicester Tigers in Round Seven of the 2025/26 Gallagher PREMTomos Willliams of Gloucester kicks the ball upfield. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Gloucester Rugby suffered a seven-try defeat to Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday night to go down 45-14 in Round Seven of the Gallagher PREM.

Leicester touched down through James Thompson, Solomone Kata, Tom Whiteley, Tommy Reffell, Billy Searle, Ollie Chessum, and were awarded a controversial penalty try on the stroke of half-time, which also saw Charlie Atkinson yellow-carded. Fly-half Searle kicked three conversions for six points, and his replacement Orlando Bailey added a further two conversions as Leicester moved level with Bath at the top of the table.

READ MORE: Leicester Tigers 45-14 Gloucester Rugby LIVE: Reaction and highlights from Welford Road

The Cherry and Whites crossed the line through Josh Hathaway and Jack Clement in the second half, with Ross Byrne adding both conversions, but by the time the Welshman got the visitors off the mark, Tigers were 31-0 up, with 21 of those points coming during the yellow card period.

A 20-minute red card for replacement hooker Charlie Clare for a dangerous clear out on Clement was the only negative of the night for the hosts.

South West rugby writer John Evely takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Gloucester players…

15 Charlie Atkinson – 6

The full back showed off some wonderful handling, including a second brilliant out the back offload after drawing in two players which created the space for Hathaway to score. He was Gloucester’s most positive player going forward all match, but his yellow card for making a tackle on Hassell-Collins while Atkinson was on the floor – although harsh – resulted in a penalty try and Tigers scored twice more in his absence to put the game to bed.

14 Rob Russell – 5

The winger limped off the field with his arms around the shoulders of two medical staff having only recently returned from a pre-season injury. It was a bright start as well.

13 Will Butler – 4

The centre blew a try-scoring chance by missing Ollie Thorley with a pass, sending the ball into touch instead.

12 Seb Atkinson – 5

The England international ran some direct lines but was completely outplayed by his opposite number, Solomone Kata, who was named player of the match. Failed a HIA late in the game.

11 Ollie Thorley – 4

The winger went close to scoring in the first half but managed to get held up over the try line by Billy Searle and Tommy Reffell having opted to cut in field rather than go for the corner. Forced a few passes.

10 Ross Byrne – 4

The fly-half got his wires crossed with those around him in attack on multiple occasions to see the Gloucester attack splutter and stall. Kicked well from the tee to go two for two, but criminally kicked the ball dead when going for the corner after the pack had won a penalty in the scrum.

9 Tomos Williams – 4

The Welsh star had arguably his worst game for the club on the week it was confirmed he will be leaving in the summer. He got beaten in defence for the Kata try, having overcommitted to the drift, failed to take a bouncing ball, resulting in Reffell touching down, and missed touch with a clearing kick – albeit after a half charge down – in the build-up to Searle’s score. And he simply looked disconnected with his teammates in attack.

1 Val Rapava Ruskin – 5

The scrum was a mess all game, with neither side really getting on top. The loosehead did well considering it is his first PREM start of the season, having only just recovered from his knee issues.

2 Seb Blake – N/A

The hooker appeared to injure his hand early in the match and was replaced.

3 Nepo Laulala – 4

Back from his suspension for a high tackle, the former All Black was involved in a proper dust-up with Welsh international Nicky Smith in the scrum, with the two trading penalties and free kicks in a messy battle. Gloucester got on top when he departed. Some lovely pull-back passes as well.

4 Freddie Thomas – 5

The lock had some bright moments in the game, but like way too many Cherry and Whites players dropped simple passes.

5 Arthur Clark – 5

It was a physical display from the England international lock, including a lovely rip turnover, but Leicester well and truly won the arm wrestle.

6 Josh Basham – 4

The flanker got barrelled over by James Thompson for Leicester’s opening score and blew a chance for a line break.

7 Lewis Ludlow – 5

The flanker got exposed in defence in the wide channels on a couple of occasions with Freddie Steward carving through after selling show and goes.

8 Jack Clement – 6

The backrower got on the scoresheet from a twisting, turning maul from a lineout and showed a good engine. He was the man on the end of Charlie Clare’s illegal clearout at a ruck.

Replacements:

16 Jack Innard – 5

17 Jamal Ford-Robinson – 5

18 Afo Fasogbon – 7

19 Cam Jordan – 5

20 Harry Taylor – 6

21 Mikey Austin – 5

22 Will Knight – 5

23 Josh Hathaway – 6