Looking back a couple of seasons... Leicester were the team to beat. European champions, a fantastic home record and league winners four seasons in a row. Now Gloucester fly that flag that others need to catch, and they showed how the tables have turned with a decent victory against the Tigers. They kept up their two season unbeaten run at Kingsholm and stretched their lead at the top of the table. As well as that they showed Leicester the scary reality that they may not be in the Heineken Cup next season as they will now have to go through the shambles of the wildcard play-off.

You would expect a Gloucester-Leicester match on the last day of the season to be a spectacle for all rugby fans, the climax of the season. But this year people were more focused on activities elsewhere... Bath needed to beat Newcastle at the wreck to stay in the league with both Bristol and London Irish wanting to beat eachover to stay up. It was probably the worst possible outcome for Gloucester fans, Bath beat Newcastle and London Irish beat Bristol meaning that the Shoguns finish bottom of the league. Now in any league ran by competent people this would mean that they are relegated. However we are still to know whether or not Rotherham will be promoted and what will happen with reference to the Bristol-Bath merger.

First things first at Kingsholm... player of the season was announced and it was no sup rise that Jake Boer stepped forward to receive the accolade. He has been a tower of strength for Gloucester both as captain in Phil Vickery's absence and as a prolific rugby football player. He is the leagues highest scoring forward and has been forward as a candidate for player of the season nationally.

After last weeks defeat to Leeds, Gloucester fielded a full strength side. Even after lasts weeks defeat Gloucester have managed to get points from every single match this season. Did Leicester ever manage that during their four seasons? Answers on a postcard.

Gloucester first points came a try, and what a try it was. A real team try, and will easily compete for try of the season. Andy Gomarsall tapped a penalty under his own posts, and released Henry Paul who side stepped through defenders before passing inside to Beim. As he was stopped out wide, Andy Gomarsall took the ball and steadied his hands before sending a long slow pass to Andy Deacon in the middle of the field. He passed to his prop colleague Dougie Woodman who rampaged forward before passing to Mercier. Ludo drew the man and slipped a brilliant reverse flick pass to Thinus Delport on the inside to score. Mercier added the kick.

I would say that Leicester probably had the better of the possession throughout, but Gloucester frustrated them with strong tackling and good defensive kicking. We will miss Ludo... is there another player who can get his team out of trouble in such a fantastic way? He has saved a lot of points this season as well as making and scoring a fair few. It was his penalty which stretched the lead to ten points.

Leicester quickly got those three back with a Murphy penalty. They then leveled the scores with their only try of the match. Freddie Tuilagi sprinted on to a pass and straight through a gap to touch down under the posts. Geordan Murphy converted.

However Gloucester managed to get their lead back before the break, with their second try of the game. The ball was spread along the line as the backs created space, Tom Beim eventually sprinted down the wing to go over in the corner. No problem for Mercier who converted from out wide.

Half Time Score: Gloucester 17-10 Leicester

Leicester's second half started well with another penalty from Geordan Murphy but it was to be their last points of the game. Phil Vickery came on after a fast recovery from the back injury which has kept him out for months, and it really lifted the side and the fans.

The next try was well sniped by Andy Gomarsall. He picked up at the back of a five metre scrum and dummied the pass before going through the gap and over the line. Ludo again converted.

Then on was a sight that Gloucester fans had been waiting for for years. As Leicester pressed forward Gloucester destroyed their scrums and decimated their lineouts with forward dominance.

Gloucester's last try came from Terry Fanolua who picked up a loose Tiger's pass and went under the posts. Ludo probably kicking his final conversion at Castle Grim did so right footed and successfully.

Final Score: Gloucester 31-13 Leicester.

Thank you for the memories Ludovic Mercier and Olivier Azam. We hope to see you again at Kingsholm, just please be nice to us!

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