DIRECTOR of rugby David Humphreys believes Gloucester have made great strides since they were brushed aside by Northampton Saints on the opening weekend of the Aviva Premiership season, writes Will Kelleher.

Since that 53-6 humbling at Franklin’s Gardens, Humphreys’ side have beaten Sale Sharks, London Welsh and Leicester Tigers before taking a losing bonus point at Saracens on Saturday.

Tries from Chris Wyles, Alistair Hargreaves and Chris Ashton had put the visitors in control at Allianz Park, but in the dying seconds Tom Savage added to Rob Cook’s first-half try to pinch a point.

That score came as Sarries were burrowing their way towards the Cherry & Whites’ try line in search of a bonus point of their own and Humphreys believes that counter-attacking rugby showed Gloucester’s new edge.

“We've moved a long way in six weeks, we showed we can compete with the top teams,” said Humphreys.

“There is some belief within our squad that we can go out and perform at a level which allows us to put a team like Saracens under a lot of pressure.

“Our defence was outstanding. With one minute to go we had not only the energy and enthusiasm to stop Saracens scoring, but also to go the length of the field and score a bonus point-securing try ourselves.

“People talk a lot about character and spirit in any squad – you can coach a lot of things but you can't coach that.

“For us as a management team the last couple of minutes summed up where the squad has moved to over the course of the last few weeks.”

Meanwhile, Humphreys’ opposite number, Mark McCall, was full of praise for centre Brad Barritt, who caused Gloucester problems in attack and defence for much of the afternoon.

“I thought Brad was outstanding today, he was a real pillar out there. He had some real go-forward with the ball and his all-round game was outstanding,” said McCall.

“I would have him on my international team every day of the week.

"People underestimate Brad, they think he's a one trick pony – that he can only defend. He defended supremely today but there's much more to his game than that.”

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