Lock Freddie Clarke expresses his disappointment with Gloucester’s performance in their loss against Bath, stating that the team did not meet their own standards.

Gloucester Lock Freddie Clarke Laments Team’s Second-Half Collapse against Bath

In a highly anticipated west country derby at Kingsholm, Gloucester’s hopes were dashed as they succumbed to a disappointing 45-27 defeat against Bath. The Cherry and Whites had dominated the first half, taking a commanding 20-10 lead into the break. However, an astonishing turn of events saw Bath score four unanswered tries in just 15 minutes during the second half.

Reflecting on their frustrating performance, Gloucester lock Freddie Clarke expressed his disappointment: “We showed hunger in the first half – our breakdowns, first-phase plays, and line-outs were all going our way. But I can’t fathom what happened to us in that second-half display; we truly let ourselves down.”

Aiming for a fast start throughout the week’s preparation, Gloucester initially delivered on their intentions and could have scored more points. Yet it became increasingly difficult for them to reflect on their efforts after enduring such a challenging final 40 minutes.

Critically analyzing their performance, Clarke acknowledged their tactical awareness while pinpointing key areas where they faltered: “Tactically, we were sound. However, we let ourselves down when it came to breakdowns and providing easy entries into our own territory through mishandling first phases. Moreover, our defense was porous within our own defensive third – allowing Bath to keep adding points.”

The season started promisingly for Gloucester with victories in all five of their Premiership Rugby Cup matches followed by a friendly win over Barbarians. Nevertheless, their fortunes took an unfortunate turn as they tasted defeat against Saracens, Sale, and now Bath. These consecutive losses have left Gloucester languishing in eighth place on the league table with a mere nine points.

Looking ahead to their next challenge, an away fixture against Exeter on Sunday, 19 November, Clarke emphasized the need for introspection: “We’ll use the next few days to thoroughly evaluate our individual performances. It’s crucial that everyone scrutinizes every aspect of their game.”

Concerned about maintaining consistency throughout matches, Clarke highlighted the consequences of relenting: “In this league, if you take your foot off the gas even momentarily, opposing teams will seize opportunities and make you pay dearly – as was evident today. We simply cannot afford such lackluster displays at home; conceding 40 points is unacceptable. It’s not just ourselves we’re letting down; it’s also our loyal fans who support us week in and week out.”