Preparations were also affected by the loss of playmaker Billy Burns in the build up with a hamstring injury as well as Dan Spencer-Tonks, an England U16 cap at centre, due to a virus.
The first game resulted in a 7-0 defeat at the hands of a Northampton Saints side who went on to draw the final against Saracens.
The team bounced back in their second fixture with a 19-5 win over the Ospreys with tries from James Gibbons, Harrison Sayer and Luke Foran but went down 8-3 to Worcester in the final group fixture, Ben Thomas kicking the sole penalty.
This meant that Gloucester finished second in the group behind Northampton to ensure a third place play off against the Dragons which, thanks to a try from Jordan Fowke and two penalties from Ben Thomas, saw the boys end on a winning note courtesy of an 11-5 victory.
