Image source, Getty Images

That match may not live long in the memory - but Jim Mallinder's Northampton Saints won't care a jot.

The boot of Stephen Myler, as reliable as ever from the tee, kept them on top in a match they never really looked like losing.

It was a quiet first run out for new boy Victor Matfield, who we're probably all hoping will show us what he is all about as he adjusts to English rugby.

For Gloucester, it continues their mixed start to the season, having won two and lost three of their opening matches.

We're back tomorrow for four Premiership matches, but until then, goodnight!

We may be done and dusted for this evening, but there are five more Premiership matches still to come this weekend - and we'll be bringing you live text and radio commentary on each one of them...

Saturday:

• Sale v Newcastle (14:30 GMT)
• Exeter v Harlequins (15:00 GMT)
• Saracens v Worcester (15:15 GMT)
• London Irish v Wasps (17:30 GMT)

Sunday:

• Leicester v Bath (15:00 GMT)

Well, it's been scrappy, but Northampton will be very happy to take the victory and end a two-match losing streak in the Premiership and move up the table from 10th position.

Gloucester, who had started the day one place above them, never really got into the game.

Sam Dickinson comes ever so close to getting Northampton's first try this evening, but is held up just by the line off the back of that scrum.

This game is just ticking along until the final whistle.

Greg Garner is true to his word, and Gloucester prop Yann Thomas is sent to the bin for infringing at the scrum, bringing the man he replaced on 20 minutes Paddy McAllister back into the fray.

This game appears to be going away from Gloucester now, as Northampton have the ball in the visitors' half, before kicking forward. Full-back Rob Cook again shows poor hands, and gives Saints a scrum 15 metres from the away side's tryline.

Stephen Myler has been so accurate from the tee this evening, but from the left-hand side his penalty kick is wayward and goes left of the posts.

Still, Saints look like continuing their return to form with victory tonight after two straight wins in Europe.

Gloucester are penalised for standing in the scrum, and Greg Garner calls the Cherry and Whites' captain Billy Twelvetrees over to warn him that someone will see yellow next time they infringe at a scrum. They just haven't been able to handle it today.

Some outstanding defending by Lee Dickson, using his knees after a kick through bounces off the posts, has somehow managed to keep Gloucester out.

The ball gets back into away hands, but is knocked forward and gives Northampton the scrum. It's been that sort of day for David Humphreys' side.

Image source, Rex Features

Northampton can't get out and capitalise on Foden's work, and eventually the visitors win a penalty, Billy Twelvetrees kicking it just by their opposition tryline. A big push is needed here.

Northampton's Ben Foden has shown why Jim Mallinder said he could return to the England fold there. The full-back managed to reach a bouncing kick forward before the lightning quick Jonny May, taking it round him, before smashing it against an opposition player to win his side a line-out. Nice stuff.

Easy for the England fly-half as Stephen Myler slots yet another successful kick. Gloucester need something special to get back into this match.

What did I say? Northampton are once more far too strong at the scrum and referee Greg Garner blows his whistle once more to give Myler another opportunity for three points...

Oh dear Rob Cook! The Gloucester full-back comically drops a high kick, giving Saints a scrum in the opposition half.

We know how these scrums have been going so far this evening....

Image source, Rex Features

Matfield seems to have given Saints a morale boost, and replacement JJ Hanrahan and Ahsee Tuala combine down the right and break to bring the crowd to their feet. 

They are held up, but Gloucester give away another penalty in front of the points - leaving Stephen Myler an easy penalty to extend his side's lead.

The teams are taking on that wind now, with both sides kicking for territory, and eventually after Charlie Sharples kick into space, Ben Foden has no alternative but to smash out of play in his own half.

That allows South Africa legend Victor Matfield to take to the field to make his much-anticipated Northampton debut in place of Michael Patterson.

Bet he's not seen something like this wind for a while!