Gloucester Edges Bristol in Thrilling Derby

In a thrilling Gallagher Premiership match, Gloucester Rugby edged Bristol Bears with a 44-41 victory, highlighted by Christian Wade's remarkable hat-trick, marking his sixth in Premiership history and bringing his career total to 85 tries. The match featured 11 tries and a dramatic comeback attempt from Bristol, who tied the game after trailing by 19 points with just 15 minutes remaining. Gloucester's George Barton sealed the win with a penalty in the final minutes, despite Wade receiving a yellow card late in the game. The young Gloucester prop, Afolabi Fasogbon, gained attention for winning two scrum penalties against seasoned international Ellis Genge, showcasing his potential to the England head coach Steve Borthwick. This victory not only ended Gloucester's six-game losing streak at Ashton Gate but also reinforced Wade's pivotal role in the team's offensive strategy. Both teams secured bonus points; Bristol remains atop the Premiership table temporarily, thanks to their efforts.