Lake stars on debut as Gloucester run in seven tries at Exeter

Gloucester opened the new Gallagher PREM season with a 45-24 win over South West rivals Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on 26 September. It was an away day rout to silence the home crowd in Devon. RugbyPass

England's top division gives a bonus point, an extra point in the table, to any team that scores four tries or more. A try, worth five points, is rugby union's main way of scoring. Gloucester had their fourth try and the bonus point banked before half-time, and led by 14 points at the break. The Guardian

The loudest noise came from hooker Dewi Lake. The hooker, the forward who throws in at the lineout and packs in the middle of the scrum, was one of Gloucester's debutants and finished the day as player of the match. He barged over for Gloucester's fourth try just before half-time, then added his second five minutes after the restart.

Ben Loader matched him with two tries on the left wing. One was a stunning solo effort as Gloucester pulled clear in the second half. Centre Will Joseph added Gloucester's sixth try in a seven-try haul.

That fluency on the road is new. Gloucester managed only one league win away from home in the 2025-26 campaign. This time they were helped by new Welsh reinforcements Lake and back-rower Jac Morgan, both arriving with Test experience and physical edge.

Exeter never settled. Lock Joe Bailey dropped out before kick-off because of illness, forcing a late reshuffle. Director of rugby Rob Baxter described the display as "baffling" as his side leaked scores in clusters.

What makes this stand out is the speed of the change. Exeter Chiefs against Gloucester Rugby was billed as a first-weekend derby to set the tone for the season. FloRugby Gloucester did exactly that. Exeter had no answer.