The match started in wet, windy conditions as the Coventry started to darken.
Gloucester got off to the better start at the Ricoh Arena, the cherry and whites made an early statement after winning a scrum penalty and a midfield turnover within the first five minutes.
On the nine minute mark Gloucester fouled at a lineout, the result was a long-range kick from the Wasps’ half, converted by Elliot Daly.
Wasps continued to threaten, a promising attack from George Smith was eventually broken down after a handling error outside the 22.
On the twenty minute mark Wasps scored the match’s first try; it started after Ruaridh Jackson deflected the ball into Christian Wade’s hands – he then found himself in a lot of space and soon fed the ball to Charles Piutau. The new signing, who was making his début, played the ball on to Daly who switched it to Wade. Wade then found himself scoring his first Aviva Premiership try in six matches. A successful conversion from Jackson gave Wasps a 10-0 lead.
Daly got himself another long range kick to take Wasps to a 13-0 lead.
Another promising attack saw Frank Halai nearly score after a Hughes blind-side break, but he found himself tackled into touch near the corner.
Daly converted a penalty eight minutes before half time; the penalty was given after James Haskell broke from a line-out several metres in the Gloucester half.
Wasps ended the first half with an attack with Haskell and Joe Launchbury – both players working with Joe Simpson in play until a knock-on stopped the attack.
Daly made his first miss of the afternoon after failing to convert a penalty from 40 metres out, three minutes into the second half.
The match took a turn for the worse after Gloucester winger David Halaifonua was awarded an red card for a high challenge on Bradley Davies, who then came off for James Gaskell.
Laidlaw put the Cherry and Whites onto the score sheet after converting a penalty, but Wasps immediately reacted after a well played lineout saw them with Possession. A powerful driver was illegally pulled down on the Gloucester try-line, the referee thus awarded Wasps a penalty try – converted by Jackson.
Wasps led 23-3.
Davies returned to the field, before Hughes went off after a clash of heads; replaced by Guy Thompson.
Gloucester spent a good spell of the match attacking the Wasps 22, despite being a man down. Successful Wasps defending saw their opponent’s fail to score any points; thanks to a great turnover from James Haskell.
Towards the end of the match Dan Robson nearly scored, play from Wade and Piutau got him into his position. Robson was caught a couple metres out of Gloucester’s try-line.
The boys in Black and Gold then went down to fourteen men after Lorenzo Cittadini was sent off for a punch in the ruck. Wasps managed to stay clean and didn’t concede points with fourteen men.
Full Time – Wasps 23-3 Gloucester
Man of the Match: George Smith
