England internationals Henry Paul and James Simpson-Daniel played starring
roles as Gloucester recorded their second successive Heineken Cup victory to top
Pool Five.
Centre Paul amassed 24 points, while wing speedster Simpson-Daniel scored two
second-half tries in three minutes that ended the game as a contest.
But Gloucester also lost England World Cup player Phil Vickery through injury,
just a week before he is due to captain an England XV against the New Zealand
Barbarians at Twickenham.
Gloucester's back-to-back European appointments with Munster in the new year
will now probably decide whether or not Jake Boer's men reach the
quarter-finals.
Their display in the third quarter was breathtaking, as they rattled up 28
points, including tries for Simpson-Daniel (two), Paul and lock Adam Eustace.
Wing Marcel Garvey added a fifth try eight minutes from time as Gloucester
also clinched a bonus point for posting four touchdowns or more, and Samoa World
Cup centre Terry Fanolua completed the rout.
It meant Gloucester scored 40 second-half points after struggling in the first
period.
Bourgoin had no answer to such pace and invention, and it meant a
disappointing Kingsholm return for the French club's coach and former Gloucester
rugby director Philippe Saint-Andre.
Saint-Andre received a rapturous reception from the Gloucester supporters, but
his team were quickly on the back foot.
Paul landed a first-minute penalty, and Simpson-Daniel looked sharp, twice
making threatening early runs.
Gloucester were slow to build on their promising opening though, and after
centre Robert Todd was penalised for a late tackle on Alexandre Peclier,
Bourgoin moved up field and Peclier levelled the scores with a 15th-minute
strike from 30 metres.
Peclier narrowly failed to find the target with a longer range penalty eight
minutes later, and another missed penalty shortly afterwards meant Gloucester
were still level, despite struggling for continuity.
A superb Duncan McRae break - and equally stunning pick-up off the floor by
Paul - briefly had Bourgoin reeling and when they infringed 20 metres out, Paul
slotted his second penalty.
Peclier found his range eight minutes before half-time, levelling things at
6-6, but it was a disappointing half, with neither side making headway in the
attacking zones.
Gloucester, who were matched up front by a workmanlike Bourgoin pack, launched
a late attacking raid, which was sufficient for Paul to complete his penalty
hat-trick and secure a slender interval advantage.
Gloucester knew they had to step up a gear in the second period, and there was
an immediate sense of urgency.
McRae made another menacing break, and scrum-half Andy Gomarsall then scurried
away to within sight of the Bourgoin line.
The Bourgoin defence was stretched in all directions, and Gomarsall fired
possession out from a ruck. Quick passing between captain Jake Boer and
Simpson-Daniel allowed an unmarked Eustace to touch down in the corner.
Paul preserved his 100% goalkicking record by landing the touchline
conversion, before Gloucester lost Vickery, who looked to have taken a blow in
the groin area. He was replaced by veteran Andy Deacon.
Bourgoin quickly reduced the arrears when Gomarsall failed to deal with a
steepling kick, and France World Cup flanker Sebastien Chabal gathered a kind
bounce to touch down. Peclier converted.
But from 16-13, Gloucester put the game out of Bourgoin's reach with two
Simpson-Daniel tries in three minutes.
His first was the result of a speculative kick through from Todd, and then he
sprinted 60 metres for a second touchdown.
Paul converted both scores, and then claimed a try of his own that he also
converted after McRae kicked cleverly into space. Gloucester had scored 28
points and four tries in 20 minutes to leave Bourgoin reeling.
Garvey's late score took them past 40 points, with the result serving emphatic
notice that Gloucester mean business in Europe this season, and Fanolua's
closing effort rubbed further salt into Bourgoin's wounds.
Teams
Gloucester: Delport, Garvey, Todd, Paul, Simpson-Daniel, McRae,
Gomarsall, Woodman, Fortey, Vickery, Eustace, Brown, Boer,
Buxton, Paramore.
Replacements: Fanolua for Todd (71), Deacon for Vickery (48),
Cornwell for Boer (67).
Not Used: Collins, Roncero, Hazell, Page.
Tries: Eustace, Simpson-Daniel 2, Paul, Garvey,
Fanolua.
Cons: Paul 5.
Pens: Paul 3.
Bourgoin: Peclier, M. Forest, Davis, Fritz, Coux, Boyet,
A. Forest, Pucciarello, Cabello, Peyron, Pierre, Bonnaire,
Chabal, Raschi, Cape.
Replacements: Zhakata for Peclier (61), James for Boyet (77),
Bonrepaux for Cabello (67), Bonet for Peyron (56),
Stolz for Pierre (60), Caillet for Cape (67).
Not Used: Campeggia.
Tries: Chabal.
Cons: Peclier.
Pens: Peclier 2.
Att: 11,000
Ref: Alan Lewis (Ireland).
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