Exeter Chiefs 24-45 Gloucester - Gallagher PREM result and reaction as Cherry and Whites start season with emphatic win at Sandy Park

Gloucester kicked off their Gallagher PREM campaign with a brilliant seven-try victory away at Sandy Park.

Led by the impressive duo of captain Dewi Lake and co-captain Jac Morgan, the Wales international hooker capped off his debut with two tries in a much-improved performance away from home after only picking up one win on the road last term.

They got their try-scoring exploits underway through wing Ben Loader who benefited from a couple of crossfield chips in the opening 25 minutes, while a neat box kick from scrum-half Caolan Englefield set up Seb Atkinson to score under the crossbar after an initial Exeter reply from tighthead prop Josh Iosefa-Scott.

Exeter's Ethan Roots thought he had brought his side back into the contest with a finish in the corner after 37 minutes, but a poor restart allowed the Cherry and Whites in for their first maul try, with Lake peeling off to score in the corner to close the half and to give his side a 14-point lead at the interval.

Captain Lake scored his second moments after the half-time break and despite second-half tries from Stephen Varney and a debut try for replacement Louie Gulley, it was not to be for the Chiefs who started the season poorly after reaching the final last season.

As for Gloucester, it was a first away win at Sandy Park for over a decade and they will face Harlequins next weekend. While Exeter travel to the Rec in a repeat of their heroic semi-final victory last season.

If you're struggling for ideas to fill a Saturday night, then there's more Gallagher PREM rugby available on TNT Sports and HBO MAX, with Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears kicking off in around 15 minutes time.

While Saracens head to Leicester Tigers to conclude the opening round of the season.

Gloucester head coach George Skivington was a happy man speaking to TNT Sports following the game and was full of praise for Welsh duo Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake.

"They speak and they back it up, they train really hard every session and they want to showcase their stuff in the Gallagher PREM," said Skivington.

"There's a real good group of core lads, we probably did need leaders from other teams, they've just done it by being themselves.

"It's a long time since the club has had a group of this pedigree, it's the quality of bloke too.

"I think the quality of person is important. The headline is the work ethic, my biggest takeaway was the defensive set, our game management was very good today.

"It's only Round 1 but I'm really pleased."

Skivington was full of praise for wing Will Joseph who scored a brilliant individual try.

"That try was pretty special, but for Will it's been a tough few years with Quins, he had moments last year but he's well settled now at Gloucester."

It certainly wasn't the result that Rob Baxter's side were hoping, but a lovely moment for replacement Louie Gulley with a debut try.

Wales and Gloucester captain Dewi Lake spoke to TNT Sports following his player of the match performance. 16 tackles, 12 carries and two turnovers for the hooker.

"It's just been about switching the mindset," said Lake.

"This group deserves that, the work they've put in over pre-season. What's important is that we carry on.

"That's our standard now and we just got to keep going."

What an introduction to the Gallagher PREM.

A massive away win for George Skivington's side, led by man of the match Dewi Lake with a brace on debut. Described as the result of the weekend by TNT Sports' Ugo Monye.

What a way to finish! An intercept from Cokanasiga who pulls a hamstring while running but some good awareness to find Seb Atkinson who puts a brilliant grubber kick for debut replacement Junior Denny who scores in the corner.

With less than two minutes to play, the visitors survive an attack following a brilliant Kane James break and are winding the clock down into the final minute.

There has been some plenty of tries in the opening round of the PREM season, but this one from Will Joseph was rather impressive.

A very neat lineout move from the home side as they get a bonus point with less than four minutes to play, Slade's conversion hits the post to leave a 14 point margin.

A converted try from the home side in the final moments could leave them take two match points from this contest, Gloucester taking their time after winning just won away match in the league last season.

A Gloucester heavy list selected by TNT Sports pundit Chris Ashton, with Feyi-Waboso being the only Chiefs mentioned from the shortlisted five.

Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake, Will Jospeh and Seb Atkinson all nominated.

And despite the player disadvantage, Seb Atkinson pounces on an opportunity in the breakdown to steal a turnover penalty, Exeter have had 78 phases inside the Gloucester 22 compared to 29 from the Cherry and Whites. A sobering stat for Rob Baxter's side.

A no arms tackle and an offside infringement from Welsh international Freddie Thomas does see him sent to the sin bin with less than nine minutes to play.

MOMENTUM SWINGING?
A brilliant break from Henry Slade who links up with Varney who was stopped short of the line and the Chiefs gain a penalty for a no arms tackle with a tap penalty coming.

But, a spilt ball in the second phase allows Robson to clear, but here come the hosts again.

As try scorer Will Jospeh sends Feyi-Waboso into touch following a box kick, here's a clip of Dewi Lake's second try on his Gloucester debut.