Gloucester Rugby defeated Sale Sharks 29-28 at the CorpAcq Stadium in Round Three of the 2025-26 Prem Rugby Cup last night.
Tries from Jack Cotgreave, Will Trenholm, and Caio James at the double helped secure a narrow and rare victory for the Cherry and Whites.
The win marks Gloucester’s first triumph since their opening round win against Exeter, over seven weeks ago and with two of the three try scorers under the age of 20, the match further highlighted the importance of youth talent in the competition.
Gloucester’s captain for the night, Harry Taylor, emphasised the importance of creativity in preparation for the match and said: “(The plan this week) wasn’t too rigid, it was more just giving us a bit of freedom and play, and putting a bit of pride in the Gloucester shirt.
“We’ve had a tough start to the Premiership season, but this is a new competition with a different group of lads, and I think we really ripped in this week and I think that showed out on the pitch.”
Before Sunday’s clash, Sale hadn’t lost a game at home since February, further highlighting the magnitude of Gloucester’s performance.
Appreciating the challenge that the Sharks bring, Taylor said: “It’s a great place to go and get a win so everyone’s really happy.
“I’ve been here (the CorpAcq Stadium) the last couple of years in the PREM Cup and Premiership, and it’s the first time I’ve won so it’s really special to come and win.”
With the PREM Cup being a great way for young and fringe players to capitalise on game opportunities, the 24-year-old admitted: “The coaches said at the start of the week that if we show up these next couple weeks there’s spots out there in the Premiership side for us. So that was definitely in my mind and every lad that was running out there today.
“Today we had lads that are off playing for universities or playing in the Championship and we got so tight so quickly and I think it really showed out there today and that’s probably the reason why we went out there and won. “
With treble winners Bath up next for the Cherry and Whites, the back rower is set for another PREM Cup challenge on November 14.
“The performance is huge,” said Taylor.
“We were at Bath a few weeks ago in the Premiership and we’ve had a few tough results there over the last few years, so it’d be huge for us to keep this momentum going and taking it into the Premiership.”
