Andy Hazell beats a pack of would-be tacklers at rainy Kingsholm

Gloucester (24) 34
Tries: Wood, Adams, Foster, Titterrell
Pens: Walker (2)
Cons: Walker (4)

London Irish (6) 14
Try: Ojo
Pens: Hewat (3)

Gloucester overcame the loss of 10 players to international duty to beat London Irish at Kingsholm and retain their place atop the Premiership.

In heavy rain, the hosts ran in four tries, Andy Titterrell driving over late on to seal the bonus point.

The Exiles had won their last five in the Premiership but blew early chances, including a Peter Hewat penalty.

Gloucester used a neat grubber kick fell for prop Nick Wood to open the scoring and James Bailey followed up.

The visitors' points came through an interception try from wing Topsy Ojo, with Hewat adding three penalties.

"We set a strong script during the week about the way we'd take London Irish and I'm pleased that they bought into it and were able to deliver it.

"Sometimes you have to revert to a forwards platform so that we can keep possession.

"There isn't just one way to play the game and we are getting better at all the aspects all the time."

"First half, a couple of bounces, a couple of potential offsides and you are chasing a 14-point ball game. In those conditions, it is difficult.

"I thought that in certain areas of the pitch Gloucester were absolutely fantastic.

"If there wasn't any fightback then I'm probably wasting my time. There was and that is what is expected."

Gloucester: Bailey, Simpson-Daniel, Adams, Allen, Foster, Walker, Cooper, Wood, Titterrell, Forster, Tuohy, W. James, Buxton, Hazell, Qera.
Replacements: Azam, Califano, Pendelbury, Paul, Prendergast, Sharples, Norton.

London Irish: Hewat, Ojo, Tiesi, Mapusua, Tagicakibau, Catt, Fury, D. Murphy, Paice, Rautembach, Roche, Casey, Leguizamon, S. Armitage, Thorpe.
Replacements: Dermody, Mackie, Lea'aetoa, Johnson, Danaher, Blake, Hickey.

Referee: David Rose (RFU)