We've just been shown some pictures of the flag at Franklin's Gardens and it's no surprise the ball is so unpredictable when up in the air.

The flag was almost being blown off it's pole! (Slight hyperbole).

Back on the pitch, Gloucester have a scrum in the middle of the park which Northampton again win a penalty off. That has been the difference so far.

Image source, Rex Features

A little bit of a break in play as Gloucester wing Charlie Sharples is down on the floor receiving treatment. It's been a brutal affair so far.

What do you make of this match so far? Let us know using #bbcrugby on Twitter.

Without any tryline action so far this match, we've just had two real chances in the space of 20 seconds!

First, Northampton come so close the line off the back of a ruck, but a forward drops the ball with a chance of glory.

Then, Jonny May breaks pounds toward the Saints tryline and looking like he can go all the way. But he chooses to kick with his left foot in a bid to get past Ben Foden, a man who he is surely quicker than, and the Saints player comes up with the ball...

Pictured above, by the way, is actor Rune Temte, not Richard Hibbard...

Argentine Mariano Galarza has just come on for Gloucester to make his first appearance since receiving a nine-week ban at this summer's World Cup. Can his fresh legs make any dent on the scoreboard.

Image source, Rex Features

It's the closest we've come to a sight of the tryline all match when Billy Twelvetrees' kick is charged down, but Luther Burrell can't hold on to Stephen Myler's pass and the try is averted for the Cherry and Whites.

Gloucester hook the ball away, but Ben Foden's kick back is absolutely massive, and Jonny May hopes it will go over the try line, but doesn't giving him little option but to kick poorly away.

However, Saints can't capitalise and the visitors win the penalty.

Northampton again win the ball at the breakdown off the back of the line-out, this is proving all to easy for the hosts at the moment, but Jonny May catches a high kick inside his 22 and the danger is over.

Incidentally, Tom Wood's sin-bin is over.

Image source, Rex Features

Gloucester lose the ball off the back of a line-out - not for the first time this evening - and Northampton keep the ball turning over before kicking for touch by Gloucester's 22.

High kicks are causing chaos in this swirling wind. It's like watching a bunch of salmons leaping up in the air as they try to catch the ball. Northampton's Ben Foden takes control and clears the ball into touch.

Northampton Saints fly-half Stephen Myler gets us back under way at Franklin's Gardens. 

And you'll be delighted to hear that the East Midlands rain has stopped.

So what do you make of all of that kerfuffle then?

What can Gloucester do to stop Northampton's dominance at the scrum? Can Jim Mallinder's side get their much-heralded backs into the game more? Will we see Victor Matfield later on today?

Let us know your thoughts using #bbcrugby on Twitter. We'd genuinely love to hear them. I don't like the sound of my own voice that much...

Let's be totally honest here, this has not been the prettiest half of rugby you are ever likely to watch.

The conditions have certainly not helped, but let's be hoping for fewer breakdown problems and a couple more breaks to get us off our seats.

The first half ends with Gloucester looking dangerous around Northampton's line, but a beast of a tackle from Luther Burrell wins the ball back and Saints kick for touch to bring an end to the half.

Gloucester's Willi Heinz, in for Greig Laidlaw, tries to use the wind when his side gain some metres, but Saints' Ben Foden did well in the wind to catch inside his own 22 with Charlie Sharples running right at him.

Northampton break with pace, and Ben Foden, a man who Jim Mallinder said could make an England return if he retains his current form, breaks through the Gloucester line to give his side yards.

Gloucester's Matt Kvesic then infringes, but Stephen Myler's kick is too long in the wind and gives the visitors a scrum.