Leicester produced a superb 2nd half performance at Kingsholm to hand Gloucester another home defeat this season. 29 points scored after half time was enough to brush past a lack lustre Gloucester outfit.
However, on the day that the home side would have been looking to further strengthen their playoff hopes , there was a far bigger picture behind the scenes.
In 2022, former Gloucester and Leicester player Ed Slater was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease causing his career to come to an abrupt end.
Since then there has been a plethora of fund raising events concluding with yesterday’s 12 hour exercise challenge. It included names such as former player Mike Tindall, David Flatman and current Gloucester player Mark Atkinson.
(Read more from ParkLife Sport here)
Yesterday not only tied those events together but the whole rugby community. Both teams came together to support Slater and his family as they battle to deal with this illness.
Before the match we spoke to Gloucester forward Freddie Clarke on why today was so important.
“It’s gonna be a great occasion for a great man, who deserves everything we owe a a lot to Ed.
“ It’s gonna be a great occasion with two great teams.”
The day started out with crowds gathering in the fan zone to interact with some their favourites players and rugby personalities with a series of talks, challenges and Q&A’s.
The home side wore special Match day shirts which were available to fans as well. Five pounds going direct to the Slater family for every shirt bought.
(To purchase a 4Ed shirt, click here)
And once the game had commenced players and coaches from both sides gathered to celebrate Ed and his family.
Whilst head coach George Skivington was disappointed with the result he was full of praise of how the rugby community had come together in solidarity.
“It’s been an emotional week, I think we’ve talked about Ed a lot this and it’s a horrible situation.
“But like you say it’s amazing how many people rally round and it’s amazing how the boys have responded and hopefully for him and his family it was a nice day to lift that ball”
