Bath have been talked up as Premiership winners but Gloucester's early-season dynamism ensures a bare-knuckle ride West Country derby
Without departed skipper Owen Farrell, new recruit Fergus Burke slipped seamlessly into his shoes to guide the visitors to a morale-boosting 35-26 success.
The 27-year-old back-rower is under contract at Kingsholm until the summer of 2027, but it emerged last weekend that Toulon have proposed to buy out the final two years of his contract and bring him back to the Top 14 for the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Fissler Confidential exclusive revealed last Saturday, just hours after the EPCR Challenge Cup final defeat at the hands of the Sharks, that the South African back-rower was in discussions with Gloucester about a shock departure from the English club.
Ruan Ackermann could be set to leave Premiership strugglers Gloucester despite the back-row only committing his future and signing a new contract with the Cherry and White’s in February.
Gloucester Rugby couldn't make their early advantage tell as they succumbed to a powerful display from the Hollywoodbets Sharks who won the EPCR Challenge Cup final 36 - 22 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London.