Gloucester edge past Ospreys to reach European Challenge Cup semi-final

Gloucester secured a hard-fought victory over Ospreys in the European Challenge Cup Quarter-Final, moving them one step closer to their fifth final in the competition. The Cherry and Whites displayed their cup pedigree once again, with Argentina fly-half Santi Carreras kicking six penalties to secure the win.

Ospreys took an early lead through Keelan Giles’ spectacular try, but Gloucester responded with a maul try from Seb Blake to keep the score tight in the first half. Despite a back-and-forth battle with penalties exchanged between Carreras and Owen Williams, Gloucester managed to edge ahead and maintain their lead until the final whistle.

Gloucester’s director of rugby, George Skivington, praised his team’s defensive efforts and highlighted the importance of securing home knockout games. Ospreys defense coach Mark Jones acknowledged his team’s effort but lamented the high penalty count and unforced errors that ultimately cost them the game.

Gloucester’s lineup featured standout performances from players like Jonny May, Zach Mercer, and Lewis Ludlow, who played crucial roles in securing the victory. The team’s ability to dominate the set-pieces and capitalize on Ospreys’ mistakes proved to be the difference in a closely contested match.

With a home semi-final on the horizon against either Benetton or Connacht, Gloucester will look to continue their cup success and book their spot in the final. The team’s resilience and determination have been key factors in their journey to the latter stages of the competition, and they will be eager to carry that momentum forward in the next round.