After all their issues this week, and missing a host of World Cup players, Saracens produced a suffocating display at Kingsholm on Saturday, seemingly drawing strength from their perceived notoriety and ground their way to a stifling 12-21 Gallagher Premiership victory.
Saracens almost gave a masterclass in how to win away from home. They soaked up early pressure from Gloucester Rugby, before moving downfield and coming away with points from almost every visit to the home 22.
The Cherry and Whites were below bar, of that there is no doubt, and having to try and win from behind against a side like Saracens is never a good place to be. There was plenty of effort as the team tried to get back into the game, but the visitors stood firm.
Early chances came and went, two five metre lineouts couldn’t yield a positive outcome in terms of points and the visitors slowly but surely took control. A Manu Vunipola penalty opened the scoring, before Nick Tompkins went over from close range, Vunipola converting for 0-10.
Gloucester Rugby did hit back with a stunner of a try from Tom Marshall, the winger breaking down the right, chipping ahead and then controlling the bouncing ball to score.
But the home team finished the half the stronger, errors and indiscipline from the home team leading to two late Vunipola penalties and a 5-16 lead at the break.
The Cherry and Whites badly needed the next score, but it was the visitors who showed their clinical edge as Ben Earl went over from a catch and drive.
Saracens then showed their strength without ball in hand, as they absorbed everything Gloucester Rugby could throw at them. Home pressure was finally rewarded when Lewis Ludlow crashed over after a series of penalties but it was scant consolation.
Plenty for Gloucester Rugby to work upon, they were far from at their fluent best, but credit to Saracens who seemed to revel in their role of pantomime villains and draw strength from any vitriol directed in their direction by the crowd.
Next week sees the Cherry and Whites enter European action as they’re back at Kingsholm with Toulouse the visitors on Friday 15 November.
The following week sees the team travel to the south of France to take on Montpellier.
Another Sarries penalty gives Twelvetrees the opportunity to push play up to the half way.
Team warning for Saracens who are conceding penalty after penalty on their line.
Fourie deemed to be short of the line. There is another penalty for the Cherry and Whites however. 5m line-out.
Thorley is pulled down short, the ball goes wide and Saracens knock on in the tackle. Scrum for Gloucester Rugby.
It's a Saracens knock on in the ruck, so this time is will be a Cherry & White scrum.
It looks like Isiekwe is over, but Maxwell-Keys is checking with the TMO
It's another penalty for Saracens.
Gallagher put's them 10m out.
A knock on from Harris gave Saracens the scrum, but play has now stopped for an injury to Adams-Hale.
Couple of early fumbles, but Sarries were first. Braley with the put in to the scrum.
Cipriani gets us back underway!
Maxwell-Keys awards Sarries another penalty
Vunipola converts from the tee.
Wigglesworth with the box kick into the 22. Woodward fails to gather the ball, which gives Sarries the scrum.
It all looked scrappy, but Marshall shows a touch of class to break away, chip the ball over Gallagher and finish in the corner. Conv. missed.
Another peanlty gives Vunipola the opportunity to put Sarries 5m out.
Penalty given for Saracens at the scrum.
Vunipola will have another shot.
Penalty given Saracens way this time after a box kick from Braley. Off feet the call. Vunipola points to the posts, but the kick is missed.
Cross-field kick from Cipriani very nearly finds Thorley, but drifts in to touch.
Box kick from Braley is dropped by Gallagher and Clark picks up the ball in front. Resulting penalty kicked 5m out from Cipriani
Woodward breaks from the 22, up to the half way now. Good early intentions from the home side.
Vunipola gets the game underway!