Gloucester Rugby put up a good fight in their 27-16 loss to La Rochelle at Kingsholm in the European Champions Cup.
What happened?
La Rochelle kept their scoreboard ticking with accurate kicks at goal which ultimately built a gap too big for Gloucester Rugby to bridge.
It was a tight first half with the French side scoring two tries through Dillyn Leyds and Arthur Retiere with fly-half Ihaia West slotting a conversion and a penalty.
The Cherry and Whites also made a good start through the accurate boot of George Barton and the fly-half kicked two early penalties to get the home side on the scoreboard.
Ruan Ackermann was next to get on the board for Gloucester Rugby and scored a try after finding his way to the line using his physicality and strength to wrestle over.
Barton was again accurate from the boot and slotted the conversion to take Gloucester Rugby within two points making the score at 15-13 to La Rochelle at the break.
In the second half, the French side kicked a further four penalties compared to Gloucester Rugby’s one to build a lead that the Cherry and Whites couldn’t get back from.
Gloucester Rugby were well in the fight and it was small infringements building up over time which led to the result going the way it did.
The victory means that La Rochelle progress through to the quarter final of the Champions Cup.
Key moment – Ruan Ackermann try
Ruan Ackermann got over for Gloucester Rugby’s try and it was scored after the Cherry and Whites played what they saw ahead of them and made good use of the bounce of the ball.
Barton had a penalty kick to touch but the ball stayed in and the chase from Sharples and Ludlow was good enough to turn the ball over and give Gloucester Rugby the possession which ultimately led to the try.
What’s next?
Gloucester Rugby don’t have a fixture next week so will be back in action when they travel to the AJ Bell to face Sale in the Gallagher Premiership.
La Rochelle take the victory after a close fought game.
Gloucester Rugby had the 5m lineout but couldn't get enough drive at the maul to get over the line.
A great break from Jonny May and Jack Clement. Gloucester Rugby move forward well but the away side then knock the ball on, giving the Cherry and Whites the scrum.
Here we go. Barton puts the ball to touch. Three minutes left.
Charlie Chapman makes a break and has added real tempo to the attack. However, La Rochelle win the penalty and clear the ball down field where they will have the lineout.
He slots it.
La Rochelle win the penalty at the scrum. Plisson lines up a kick at goal.
Clement is on for Ackermann.
He's slotted it.
Argh. Plisson lines up the penalty from halfway.
BIG hit. Santiago Carreras hits his man with perfect timing. Gloucester Rugby then turn the ball over and are awarded the penalty.
Chapman is on for Heinz.
GEORGE BARTON. He's done it again.
Harris tackled without the ball. Gloucester Rugy penalty. Barton lines up a shot at goal.
Looking at a potential high tackle but the TMO has ruled that Barton and the attacking player were falling. No foul play.
Gloucester Rugby replace the front row with Alex Seville, Santiago Socino and Jamal Ford-Robinson all coming on.
Alex Craig is on for Alemanno also.
Another penalty for La Rochelle in front of the posts. They go for the three points.
High tackle on Chris Harris. Barton finds touch with a cracker of a kick. Gloucester Rugby lineout 7m from the try line.
The penalty kick is good.
Ludlow has been yellow carded for going in at the side and off his feet at the breakdown. He probably stopped a try but it's cost his team the penalty and himself 10 minutes in the bin.
Charile Sharples is off for a HIA, on comes Billy Twelvetrees.
What a frantic period of play! Great defence from the Cherry and Whites to hold La Rochelle out.
Jonny May holding on just a bit too long there. La Rochelle are awarded the penalty and clear the ball down to halfway where they will have the lineout.
A BIG shift at the scrum. Barton finds touch and Gloucester Rugby will have the lineout.
Ihaia West kicks us off for the second half. Come on Glaws!
A very tight first half! La Rochelle have a two point lead at half time.
Jordy Reid is off with an injury, on comes Freddie Clarke.
Levani Botia thought he had scored but the ball came off the boot meaning there was an accidental offside. The TMO checked it and the score has been chalked off.
A slight high tackle from Alemanno there. La Rochelle clear the ball to touch and will have the lineout.
George Barton nails the conversion.
Ruan Ackermann wrestles over! What a try. Gloucester Rugby had built good ground and Ackermann used his strength to get over.
Inches away from the try line. Barton went for touch from the penalty but the ball didn't make it. However, the chase was good and Gloucester Rugby won the ball back to put themselves in a good position.
Chris Harris latches onto the ball and wins Gloucester Rugby the penalty. However, Barton puts a bit too much on the kick so we go back for a La Rochelle scrum on halfway.
The conversion is good.
TMO sees no issue. Arthur Retiere gets over for La Rochelle in the corner.
On field try for La Rochelle. Chris Harris made a great tackle to push him into touch but he might have touched down first. TMO checking this.
No release from La Rochelle so Barton makes touch from the penalty. Gloucester Rugby then attack well before La Rochelle turn the ball over.
West slots the penalty.
The Cherry and Whites give away a penalty at the breakdown so Ihaia West lines up a shot at goal.
Barton hits Reid in the midfield and Heinz then runs a creative move. Barton puts in a cross-field kick and it brushed Jonny May's fingers as the winger attempted to catch it. Very close.
He's slotted that! Barton adds the three points.
Gloucester Rugby penalty for an offence at the breakdown. Barton lines up the kick at goal from about 43m out.
Will Skelton makes a break and offloads to Kevin Gourdon who makes a charge for the line before offloading to Dillyn Leyds who went over for the try.
Just inside the Cherry and White half.
La Rochelle had the scrum deep in the Gloucester Rugby 22 but they are overambitious with the cross field kick which goes to touch.
Gloucester Rugby win the lineout and set up a great exit from their 22.
George Barton slots the penalty!
Gloucester Rugby get the penalty after La Rochelle creep offside. BArton lines up a kick at goal from the far left side of the pitch.
George Barton gets us underway here at Kingsholm.
Jordy Reid spoke to the press ahead of tonight's fixture. Here's what he had to say!
Good evening and welcome to Kingsholm for this European Champions Cup fixture! Gloucester Rugby host La Rochelle in a Round of 16 knock out fixture and we're set to keep you up to date with all of the action.