Cipriani-inspired Gloucester thrash Tigers

Danny Cipriani marked his return from a three-game ban by inspiring Gloucester to a 36-13 home victory over Leicester Tigers.

The fly-half had served a suspension for a high tackle against Munster but showed no sign of any rust as he played a pivotal role in three of their five tries.

Jason Woodward, Matt Banahan, former Leicester prop Fraser Balmain and Ollie Thorley all crossed in the opening 46 minutes.

Star man Cipriani was taken off before Thorley added a cherry on top with a glorious late try.

The Tigers were shorn of George Ford, who will captain England against Japan on Saturday, and their points came through Mike Williams’ converted try and a pair of Joe Ford penalties, with the Cherry and Whites going up to third in the Premiership table.

Full Time at Kingsholm

Gloucester Rugby 36-13 Leicester Tigers#GLOvLEI pic.twitter.com/yNTdkuPRYN

— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) November 16, 2018

Cipriani’s one-handed flick to Mark Atkinson helped him break through Leicester’s line before he found Woodward for the opening score. 

And it was Cipriani whose flat pass helped Banahan touch down in the corner for Gloucester’s second try.

Balmain bundled over from close range before half-time and Gloucester had a bonus point when Cipriani fed Thorley to break through and dot down early in the second period.

A brilliant would-be Gloucester try – which featured a no-look pass from Cipriani in the build-up – was chalked off for a forward pass, but Thorley broke from deep in his own half with two minutes to go to score the pick of the bunch and cap a comprehensive Gloucester success.

In the evening’s other game, Harlequins beat Newcastle 20-7 to keep the Falcons bottom of the division.

Alex Dombrandt and Francis Saili went over either side of the interval for Quins and Andrew Davidson’s 67th-minute try proved to be only a consolation for the visitors.

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