Summary

  • Champions Exeter beaten by late Gloucester try at Kingsholm

  • FT: Gloucester 28-21 Exeter

  • Newcastle also claim bonus-point win at home against Worcester

  • FT: Newcastle Falcons 35-8 Worcester Warriors

Live Reporting

James Law and Adam Williams

  1. try

    Try (Thrush, con Burns)

    Gloucester 14-14 Exeter

    A much-deserved try for Gloucester after that relentless attacking play.

    Exeter's Harry Williams and Don Armand show indiscipline and the hosts kick to the corner - they mean business.

    After a five-metre line-out Jeremy Thrush matches Sam Simmonds by getting his second of the game - he squeezes through a pile of players to ground the ball.

    The TMO took minutes to verify the try, but it's given and Billy Burns kicks the conversion.

  2. Gloucester 7-14 Exeter

    Chris Jones
    BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at Kingsholm

    'You don't know what you are doing' is the cry from the ever-parochial Shed after Matt Carley pings Gloucester at the breakdown.

    Chiefs are masters at exploiting an isolated ball-carrier.

  3. Missed penalty (Burns)

    Gloucester 7-14 Exeter

    ExeterRex Features

    Former Cherry and White Matt Kvesic is penalised for putting his hands in - a bit too enthusiastic perhaps?

    Billy Burns is left with what looks like a simple penalty to kick, but it drifts wide.

    Akin to missing an open goal, I'm afraid.

  4. Te'o makes an early exit

    Newcastle 10-3 Warriors

    Not been a memorable return to action this evening for British & Irish Lion Ben Te'o.

    He was a late change to the Worcester starting line-up after Wynand Olivier pulled up injured in the warm-up and now he's off the field after just 27 minutes carrying a knock.

    But, better news for his side as Tom Heathcote slots a penalty to get them on the board.

  5. try

    Try (Simmonds, con Steenson)

    Gloucester 7-14 Exeter

    Sam SimmondsRex Features

    We're just 29 minutes into the season and already Chiefs forward Sam Simmonds can't stop scoring.

    After a comical lineout, where the referee caught the ball, Simmonds broke through several tackles, with what is becoming a trademark powerful run, and touches the ball down.

    Gareth Steenson adds the extras.

  6. try

    Try (Thrush, con Burns)

    Gloucester 7-7 Exeter

    The hosts make their first foray into Exeter's 22 and are successful - Jeremy Thrush crashing over from close range.

    It came in the 12th phase of Gloucester attack - and though the champions defending stoutly to start with, the Cherry and Whites persevered to get the score.

    Billy Burns kicks the simple conversion, and we're level.

  7. Takalua on target again

    Newcastle 10-0 Warriors

    Sonatane Takalua does the business again for Newcastle off the tee as he takes his second chance of the night to get on the board.

    Warriors penalised in their 22 for an infringement at the ruck and Takalua takes full advantage on 21 minutes to stretch the hosts' lead.

  8. Gloucester 0-7 Exeter

    Johan AckermannGetty Images

    Chiefs' England international Henry Slade twice fails to find touch with kicks - very uncharacteristic from him.

    One man who'll be happy to see that is new Cherry and Whites head coach Johan Ackermann, whose son Ruan is among the replacements.

    We have a break in play here as ex-New Zealand prop John Afoa receives treatment.

  9. Gloucester 0-7 Exeter

    Chiefs look dangerous once again, recycling the ball and looking like making something happen.

    They're caught offside and it's Gloucester's turn to mount an attack, but they lacked numbers at the breakdown and paid the price.

    Interestingly, England forwards coach Neal Hatley is among the crowd at Kingsholm tonight - tell us via #bbcrugby if there's anyone in particular he should be looking at.

  10. Warriors still searching for impact

    Newcastle 7-0 Worcester

    We've played 15 minutes in the north east and it's been a tricky start for Worcester.

    After conceding that early Alex Tait try, they have managed to put some phases and territory together but with little impact.

    Newcastle are looking solid in defence.

  11. Gloucester 0-7 Exeter

    After a spot of kick-tennis, the hosts get the ball down and make some important metres.

    But just as they begin to make some useful territory, they are penalised for a knock-on.

    Good to see Gloucester with ball in hand but make no bones about it, the possession stats are heavily in Exeter's favour.

  12. Gloucester 0-7 Exeter

    Chris Jones
    BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at Kingsholm

    The Chiefs picking up where they left off last season, playing a fast tempo, ball-in-hand game, and scoring the first try before Gloucester have had a sniff of the ball.

  13. Gloucester 0-7 Exeter

    The biggest cheer at Kingsholm so far comes after some magnificent defensive work from the Cherry and Whites at the breakdown.

    Not only do they stop the imperious Chiefs maul from the lineout, but they get the turnover.

    Encouraging stuff.

  14. Falcons draw first blood

    Newcastle 7-0 Worcester

    Alex TaitRex Features

    Newcastle's dominance of the early stages at Kingston Park is rewarded with a lovely finish by Alex Tait under the posts.

    The Falcons had pretty much all the possession for the first five minutes and Ben Te'o was caught cold after his unexpected late start for the Warriors.

    Sonatane Takalua adds the easy conversion.

  15. try

    Try (Simmonds, con Steenson)

    Gloucester 0-7 Exeter

    Sam SimmondsRex Features

    The reigning champions pick up from where they left off.

    Billy Burns attempts a grubber kick, which fails, and Exeter show patience - the youthful Max Bodilly spreads the ball wide and Sam Simmonds muscles his way over the try-line.

    The resulting conversion is 40m out and on the wrong side for a right-footer - but Gareth Steenson nails it without a problem.

  16. Gloucester 0-0 Exeter

    It's Chiefs who start with the possession, and it's fair to say Matt Kvesic is well up for this one against his old club.

    He bumps off two or three challenges, but Gloucester force their visitors out of play and clear their lines.

  17. Kick-off

    Newcastle 0-0 Worcester

    Newcastle v WorcesterGetty Images

    A lovely evening up in the north east as referee Wayne Barnes gets us under way.

  18. Kick-off

    Gloucester 0-0 Exeter

    Gloucester v ExeterGetty Images

    Players out, fans applauding, gameface on - Gareth Steenson, who near enough had the final kick of last season, gets this season under way.

  19. Gloucester v Exeter; Newcastle v Worcester (both 19:45 BST)

    I don't know about you but as a traditionalist, there's something quite romantic about the reigning champions kicking off the new season.

    It might have been even nicer had Exeter been given a home game to start - instead they face the cauldron of Kingsholm.

    Let's be clear though - Worcester's trip to Newcastle is much more than a sideshow, and we'll be bringing you regular updates from Kingston Park as well.

  20. Every ruck, maul and kick live

    Kingston ParkGetty Images

    BBC local radio has full-match commentary of both of tonight's games and you can listen live to both right here on this page.

    Make your selection at the top of the page through the Live Coverage options.