Former Harlequins centre Will Joseph boosted his England prospects with a dazzling display as Gloucester showed they look a different side this season, thrashing Harlequins 48-0 at Kingsholm Stadium.
Joseph scored one try and brilliantly set up Caolan Englefield for another, though in truth he was one of a number of star men for the Cherry and Whites who dominated Quins in every facet of the game.
'Gloucester are FLYING!' - Watch as Joseph magic tees up Englefield for majestic sixth try
Video credit: TNT Sports
Quins debutant George Furbank showed fleeting glimpses but the visitors, who are still without injured star-man Marcus Smith, have a lot of thinking to do after starting their PREM Rugby campaign with a second defeat on the spin.
Winger Ben Loader scored the opener, before forwards Jac Morgan and Will Trenholm touched down after lineouts were driven to the Quins line, and Charlie and Seb Atkinson put the match beyond doubt with tries either side of the break.
Atkinson wraps up bonus point inside 34 minutes for 'rampant' Gloucester
Video credit: TNT Sports
Englefield and Joseph made it three tries in 10 minutes before George Barton completed the scoring just ahead of the hour mark.
The win puts Gloucester top of the table after two games and coming just after Bristol’s exceptional performance against Northampton, it looks likely the West Country could have a big say in this season’s domestic competition.
‘It’s embarrassing’ – Kay’s scathing assessment of ‘horrendous’ Harlequins after Gloucester drubbing
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FULL TIME
FULL TIME
GLOUCESTER DEMOLISH QUINS TO TOP TABLE
Eight tries to nothing and though the last 22 minutes did not see any scoring, the damage was well and truly done by then.
80+1'
80+1'
TRY RULED OUT!
Joseph showed great desire in the 81st minute to beat two Quins out to touch down but a knock on earlier in the play means Gloucester can't raise the bat.
79'
79'
PETTY STOPS FURTHER DAMAGE
Barton kicked to the corner after a penalty but Quins stole the line out.
78'
78'
ROBSON DINK JUST TOO HEAVY
After some messy play the replacement tried to set up a walk in try on the right wing but his kick is a bit heavy.
75'
75'
WILL JOSEPH NAMED PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Well deserved, he has scored a try, but his assist for Englefield's was even better.
73'
73'
GOOD RUN FROM MURLEY
And it looks like it might create a try but Loader denied Anderson on the right wing.
71'
71'
GAME GETTING MESSY NOW
With substitutions and, perhaps, a lack of motivation to run up the score, Gloucester are not threatening as much now. But neither are Quins looking like getting on the board.
68'
68'
RARE GREEN SHOOTS FOR QUINS
They stop a Gloucester maul and win a penalty to stop another scoring chance.
64'
64'
ROBSON WITH A 50-22
It landed barely a 30m ruler-width away from the sideline.
61'
61'
SEB ATKINSON OFF FOR AN HIA
He was on the receiving end of a nasty head clash. Touch wood he seemed ok, but is being assessed nonetheless.
58'
58'
CONVERSION MISSED!
Barton fails to bring up the half ton.
58'
58'
TRY! GLOUCESTER (BARTON) 48-0 HARLEQUINS
Everything Gloucester touch is turning to gold. Charlie Atkinson's kick wide was poor but Anderson failed to catch an interception and the ball dropped for Barton to run in and score.
56'
56'
HOW WILL GLOUCESTER FARE THIS SEASON?
54'
54'
CONVERSION! GLOUCESTER (BARTON) 43-0 HARLEQUINS
Joseph running under the posts made it an easy kick for Barton.
53'
53'
TRY! GLOUCESTER (JOSEPH) 41-0 HARLEQUINS
The move kept going and as they played the ball across the pitch, Joseph brushed off a couple of tackles for his second try.
52'
52'
GLOUCESTER'S OFF-LOADING IS HYNOTIC
It seems every player is capable of keeping moves going by getting the ball away in the tackle. Loader in particular got rid of the ball to Charlie Atkinson just before going out of play.
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'Gloucester are FLYING!' - Watch as Joseph magic tees up Englefield for majestic sixth try
Video credit: TNT Sports
Atkinson wraps up bonus point inside 34 minutes for 'rampant' Gloucester
Video credit: TNT Sports