Worcester aren't having to do much to make themselves look the slicker of these two sides.

Huge kick from Francois Hougaard sends the hosts up field, ball is won back and they have London Irish's defence scrambling.

Right, so London Irish have regained some composure as the game is slowed down and they have repeat phases following a line-out.

They are genuinely building something inside the 22m

And then... penalty. 

No points for Irish. Result for Worcester.

Image source, Getty Images

We're level at Kingsholm after another successful kick from Gloucester scrum-half Greig Laidlaw.

Gloucester have been piling the pressure on in the last five minutes, but only have three points to show for their troubles.  

Gloucester have been piling the pressure on Bath but the Blue, Black and Whites have been standing firm in their own 22.

The visitors have been warned after a number of infringements and moments ago scrum-half Chris Cook was forced to touch down behind his own try-line.

We're 15 minutes into the second period.

Image source, Getty Images

Seriously. London Irish are their own worst enemy.

The Exiles are off in a flash, but like a rock the ball is dropped on the right edge by Ciaran Hearn. Butchered golden chance. Criminal.

The broken record that is London Irish's attack is not going to he hitting the top of any charts.

The ball is moved at pace, there is space, a break and then the ball goes to ground. It seemed like it was all opening up for Blair Cowan to run through for the game's first try.

Oh behave Worcester, behave.

Warriors full-back Chris Pennell with the no-look pass out wide, Bryce Heem with superb footwork to hack the ball up field. Notch that up as a highlight in an otherwise dour game.

Second half is under way. Big 40 minutes for London Irish to salvage something.

Worcester Warriors boss Dean Ryan has been banging on about his side's need to look forward, rather than concern themselves with the relegation scrap.

As it stands, they could move above Bath, who trail Gloucester at half-time.

The picture for London Irish is grim. They are bottom with increasingly slim hopes of avoiding the drop if they don't come out on top.

We are back under way at Kingsholm.

The rain is lashing down in the West Country.

Here's what BBC Radio Berkshire's man at Sixways made of the first 40 minutes...

So then, after a frantic but error-strewn opening 40 at Kingsholm and Sixways, where do we see these second halves going?

Can Gloucester hold on to secure a memorable win over their West Country rivals? Can London Irish turn things around for a vital victory at the bottom of the table?

Let us know what you reckon by using #bbcrugby on Twitter.

Two Tom Heathcote's penalties for Worcester is the difference against London Irish, who have simply lacked polish at the end of a number of promising forays forward.

To make it worse for the Exiles, Topsy Ojo is helped off the field clutching his left arm. The winger has been in the wars so far, his day seems almost certainly done now.

Line-out taken and to the short side they go. Stopped.

Back inside, and the ball is lost, Worcester clear and London Irish are easily repelled.

Into the final four minutes of the first half and I salute London Irish.

They have had chances to go for the sticks, but they want the try, they want and need the win.

Greig Tonks kicks to touch, we have a line-out. London Irish are as close to the try line as they have been all afternoon.

Image source, Getty Images

The first half is over at Kingsholm and Gloucester have a narrow lead.

Bath fly-half George Ford missed with a penalty attempt on the brink of half-time.

His kick from out wide drifted marginally wide of the right-hand upright.

A couple of minutes ago Semesa Rokoduguni came close to scoring Bath's second try of the game after a great break and chip into the Gloucester 22.

There is so much about London Irish that you can admire, as they throw themselves into every exchange - no matter how desperate.

A charge down by Matt Symons on an attempted Ryan Mills kick puts the hosts under some pressure deep in their own territory.

But, as the ball is shifted wide, it goes to ground and the attack is over in a blink.

Image source, Rex Features

Tom Heathcote quickly lines up a second penalty and the hosts suddenly have the scoreboard ticking over after a slow start.