Staunton had given Tigers a 12th minute lead following early pressure in the Gloucester 22 and added a second penalty with seven minutes of the half remaining.

In between, Gloucester fly-half Freddie Burns landed two penalties of his own to edge the hosts ahead midway through the half. He also kicked a drop-goal that had put Gloucester 9-3 ahead after 30 minutes.

Tigers made three changes to the starting line-up. Aaron Mauger returned at centre to captain the side, Brett Deacon took the No6 shirt and Johne Murphy came in on the wing. Lote Tuqiri made his first appearance in the Guinness Premiership on the opposite wing. Anthony Allen returned to play at Kingsholm for the first time since leaving Gloucester in the summer and hooker Mefin Davies also lined up against his former club.

Burns was one of three late changes in the Gloucester backline. Wing James Simpson-Daniel and fly-half Nicky Robinson failed late fitness tests in the hour before kick-off and were replaced by Tom Voyce and Burns respectively.

And just before kick-off Olly Morgan withdrew. Voyce moved to full-back and Charlie Sharples come in on the wing. Carlos Spencer and Jonny May were added to the replacements' bench.