'Absolutely gutting' - Gloucester devastated by cruel Champions Cup loss

Gloucester head coach George Skivington described his side’s dramatic 29-26 Heineken Champions Cup last-16 loss at La Rochelle as “absolutely gutting”.

Despite leading for a large chunk of the second half, Gloucester were undone after a surge of pressure from the hosts saw Teddy Thomas cross in the final minutes to send the French powerhouses into the quarter-finals.

Skivington told Gloucester’s official website: “It’s absolutely gutting. I think the boys couldn’t have done any more than they did tonight, they’ve left it all out there and fought unbelievably hard.

“After Newcastle away last week (a 17-12 defeat in the Gallagher Premiership) we had some good chats and it was really important we set out it out that we love this team and will play hard for this club.

“We know the season hasn’t been ideal and this group have had a lot thrown at them behind the scenes, it’s been hard for them.

“But that fight tonight was what we’re all about and it’s very hard to swallow right now because frankly I think we were hard done by with the call at the end that gave them the pressure.

“I don’t moan often about things like that but I think in a big game like this there has to be some accountability around that.

“But to hold them out the way they did at the end, I’ve not seen that in a game in La Rochelle’s season. We did rattle them, but unfortunately, it’s not to be today.”

After La Rochelle opened the scoring through Antoine Hastoy’s penalty, Gloucester took the lead when Chris Harris crossed and Billy Twelvetrees’ conversion and subsequent penalty put them 10-3 up.

The home side responded with two tries in two minutes from Pierre Bourgarit and Thomas before Freddie Clarke’s try saw the teams level at 15-15 at the break.

La Rochelle went back in front via Tawera Kerr-Barlow but Gloucester responded once more through Louis Rees-Zammit and two Twelvetrees penalties then had them 26-22 ahead.

It was a lead they enjoyed for a lengthy period, but Thomas then found the winning score to send Ronan O’Gara’s men into the quarter-finals.

Skivington added: “The boys were brave in the way they attacked the game, they boxed smart and made the right decisions and put pressure on them at the right times.

“This is a serious outfit here, the European champions and the budgets would blow your mind in comparison.

“I think tonight we just showed some proper grit, played smart rugby and I’m absolutely devastated for everybody, all the players, staff, Gloucester supporters. I think we deserved to get though that round.”