GLOUCESTER director of rugby David Humphreys demanded character when his side lined up for their opening home match of the season at Kingsholm – and that is just what he got, writes Sam Warley.

A fter their first-day mauling at the hands of Aviva Premiership champions Northampton Saints, matters got worse when Sale Sharks raced into a 17-3 lead in front of the Gloucester faithful on Saturday.

Tom Arscott, Chris Cusiter and Luke McLean each dotted down before the break, while England fly half Danny Cipriani – near his creative best was pulling all the strings.

However, Gloucester fought their way back into match and ended up on the right side of a high-scoring contest, much to Humphreys' delight.

"The first half was obviously disappointing," he said. "Maybe there was a bit of a hangover from last week, plus the nervousness and pressure that comes from your first home game of the season, and we just contributed to our downfall.

"But for the players to come back from 17-3 down shows the character within the squad. We are delighted to come away with the (29-24) win.”

Scrum half Greig Laidlaw began the fightback from the tee, eventually racking up 19 points with his boot, before three tries put the hosts on top.

Jonny May scored before setting up Rob Cook and by the time the Gloucester pack earned a penalty try on 72 minutes, the game appeared to be over.

Cipriani was determined to prove otherwise, producing some more magic to earn Sale a four-try bonus point but they couldn't overturn their hosts.

"Everyone understood what we hadn't done well, so it was a case of going out in the second half and trying to keep the scoreboard ticking over,” added Humphreys.

"We know the quality of players that have come into the club, but we have said all along that in terms of developing partnerships it just takes that little bit of time."

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