Gloucester 26 Northampton Saints 31: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

Okay, there was five weeks between them, but Saints have now bagged back-to-back bonus-point victories against Worcester Warriors and Gloucester.

They have controlled both games in large parts, bossing territory and possession, just as they so often did when they were losing matches.

But the difference is that they have been more ruthless in recent times.

And after a horror run during 2020 - Saints lost 12 successive matches in all competitions before beating Worcester on Boxing Day - Chris Boyd's side are now on the up.

Any fears that they may be the worst team in the Premiership after all those defeats have been well and truly banished.

They have beaten the bottom two sides, and deservedly so.

And in the coming weeks, they will be asked to show similar grit and skill against some of the better sides in the league.

But for now, they have finally given themselves a platform to build on.

They have known what the opposition would bring, worked on a plan to nullify it and executed it superbly.

At Gloucester, they demolished the home side's set piece, stopping them from getting any real momentum.

Even points the home side did score so often came against the run of play.

Billy Twelvetrees notched four penalties to give his side a scarcely believable 12-11 lead at the break, despite the fact the Cherry and Whites had less than 30 per cent possession.

And when Willi Heinz scored early in the second half, you feared it may be another one of those days for Saints.

But they have not been short of belief since December.

And they showed that here as they hit back with three fine tries, led by the dazzling Rory Hutchinson and the super-strong Shaun Adendorff.

There were other big showings, of course, but those two players really did stand out in a fantastic away-day success.

Saints now have their swagger back and they have that winning feeling flowing through their dressing room.

It means they have much greater hope.

Hope that they will do far better in 2021 than they did in 2020, when they won just six of their 23 matches.

They have won one from one in 2021.

And they will now be desperate to maintain this mini-revival against a much tougher Wasps team next weekend.

How they rated...

GEORGE FURBANK

Doesn't have much luck with injuries and was forced off after just half an hour after a horrible aerial collision... 7

MATT PROCTOR

A really eye-catching display from the New Zealand ace, who thrived in the space he was afforded and who made a great first-half saving tackle... 8.5

RORY HUTCHINSON

Pulled the strings superbly for Saints, setting up Adendorff's first try with a moment of brilliance, and also added a score of his own... 9

PIERS FRANCIS

Seemed to be everywhere in the first half, running some lovely angles as he kept Gloucester on their toes... 8

TAQELE NAIYARAVORO

Finally ended a try drought that stretched back to last January and his contribution in defence was also noticeable... 8

DAN BIGGAR

A class act as ever as he showed the value of having such a top player at fly-half to keep things ticking over. Not an easy day for kickers due to the conditions... 7.5

ALEX MITCHELL

A sparky showing from the scrum-half, who caught the eye again and who will now bid to kick on during 2021... 7.5

ALEX WALLER

Was making his 200th appearance in the Premiership and though he was on the wrong end of a couple of scrum calls, he also won penalties of his own... 7

SAM MATAVESI

Is starting to look at home in the Saints front row, with his handling an important part of the team and his ability at the breakdown very useful indeed... 7.5

PAUL HILL

Will hope to get a run of games at tighthead once more and didn't do his chances any harm here... 7

DAVID RIBBANS

Just gets better and better and his physicality was too much for Gloucester to handle at times. Almost grabbed a try but was held up... 8

API RATUNIYARAWA

Timed his pass to Hutchinson superbly to allow Saints to score a crucial try in the second half and picked up where he left off before the break with a good showing... 8

NICK ISIEKWE

Loves to rule the aerial battle and he's not bad with his feet on the ground either, delivering another dominant showing... 8

LEWIS LUDLAM

Always an important figure in the team and he battled hard to help his side secure another victory... 7.5

SHAUN ADENDORFF - CHRON STAR MAN

What a showing from the No.8, who set the tone in the first half with his physicality and who then scored twice after the break... 9

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

TOMMY FREEMAN (for Furbank 32)

A really impressive display from the youngster, who continues to look a player with real potential. One break from his own half proved crucial to Adendorff's first score... 7.5

FRANCOIS VAN WYK (for Waller 52)

Got stuck in at the breakdown and also had some joy at scrum time as Saints put the squeeze on Gloucester... 7

EHREN PAINTER (for Hill 52)

A player with plenty of potential and he did little wrong after coming into this match, helping Saints to get over the line... 7