The Cherry & Whites ended 2022 on a dramatic high on New Year’s Eve when Santi Carreras stepped up and knocked over a long-range penalty with the clock in the red to beat London Irish 8-6 at Kingsholm.

Head Coach George Skivington was pleased with how his side stuck to the game plan he’d set out in poor conditions.

“Obviously it all came down to the kick at the end and hats off to Santi Carreras for that, but I thought the boys were brilliant today.

“We had a pretty basic game plan coming into today, we knew the weather would be bad and we know how good London Irish are if you kick loose to their back three.

“They stuck to it all game, even in the last five minutes when they were down which ultimately won us the penalty that won us the game. It’s sometimes not pretty but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, and the fact they stuck to it for the whole 80 minutes was outstanding.”

Irish are often credited for their free scoring attack, and Skivington was happy with his side’s defensive effort to keep them try-less.

“The conditions didn’t help their attack, but they didn’t really threaten us, didn’t get too near our line. We pride ourselves on our defence so we would back that anyway but the fact they score a lot of tries and didn’t score today is great.”

Argentinian back Carreras dragged his first kick of the night wide when he attempted to convert his compatriot, Matias Alemanno’s try. But he stepped up when it mattered to deliver the killer blow to Irish and move the Cherry & Whites into the top four heading into the new year.

“He’s a key member of the squad and a world class player and we’re very lucky to have him. It can’t be underestimated how tough it is to step up to win the game with the last kick but like I said he’s a world class individual and he’s worked really hard these last few weeks whether he’s played at 10 or 15.”

Gloucester Rugby wing Ollie Thorley echoed the thoughts of his coach.

“It was a pretty gritty win, the weather was horrendous all game. We were put ourselves in some good positions, but they always found a way out and on another day we could easily have folded but we stuck at it, we were patient, our kicking game was outstanding and fair play to Santi stepping up at the end he was outstanding.”

Thorley praised the 16th man that was the sold-out Kingsholm and said the support spurred them on to victory.

“It was a sell-out and you could really feel that, at the end it was rocking and honestly without the Shed and the rest of the stadium I think that game could have gone another way.”

Thorley made his return from a long-term injury against the Exiles and was delighted to be back in the Cherry & White.

“It’s unfortunately part and parcel of the game and sometimes you have to go back to rehab and recover, but I just want to thank everybody that’s helped me get back onto that pitch. I absolutely love playing rugby and I’m a bit lost when I’m not playing so I absolutely loved being back out there.”

This Friday evening, Gloucester welcome table topping Saracens to Kingsholm and Thorley hopes to build on the New Year’s Eve win.

“It doesn’t get any easier in this competition. Saracens will be hungry but we’ve just got to reload, recharge and come back again.”

Tickets for Friday nights clash with Saracens are available here.

Skivington & Thorley react to 'gritty' win over Irish

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