GLOUCESTER director of rugby Nigel Davies admitted the Cherry & Whites behaving themselves was the key factor behind their defeat of Northampton as they returned to Aviva Premiership action, writes Ryan Walters.

Tries in each half from Jonny May set Gloucester on their way to a 27-11 win at Franklin’s Gardens, their first on the road in the Premiership since September, while Rob Cook contributed 17 points.

The long-awaited away win moved Gloucester to fifth, two points off Wasps in fourth.

Davies admitted getting a grip on their ill discipline proved to be the turning point against Saints.

“Discipline was always going to be huge for us,” said Davies. “In the past three games we had given away 18 penalties, which is not good enough.

“And if you come to Northampton and do that you’re not going to get anything out of the game. Defensively we were excellent and we gave Saints a real go.

“It was a tighter selection than we had in the previous four matches and the boys have done exactly what we asked of them.”

After Myler’s fifth-minute penalty for Saints, Gloucester full back Cook kicked four before the break, with May scoring the first of his two tries.

It took winger May just two minutes of the second half to grab his second, this time converted by Cook, who slotted a fifth penalty of the game five minutes from time.

May’s two-try performance wasn’t lost on Davies.

“Having Jonny back makes the difference,” he said.

“He’s the type of player who, in a tight arm wrestle of a game, can change how it looks and that’s what he did.

“I’m very pleased with the overall performance. We’ve had a big week and on the back of the Amlin Challenge Cup games and the LV= Cup, we’ve been refocusing.”

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