Edinburgh Beats Gloucester 26-24 in Champions Cup

Edinburgh Rugby staged a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat Gloucester 26-24 in their Investec Champions Cup Pool 2 match at Hive Stadium on Friday night, securing a bonus-point victory that keeps their knockout hopes firmly alive.

The visitors, struggling in the English Premiership, burst out of the blocks in chilly conditions, racing to an 18-5 halftime lead. Wing Josh Hathaway scored the opener after just 90 seconds, touching down in the corner following a break by fullback Seb Atkinson. Flyhalf George Barton added two penalties to extend the advantage to eight points before scrumhalf Ben Vellacott replied for Edinburgh with a solo effort in the 17th minute, converted by Ben Thompson.

Edinburgh's discipline faltered as Barton slotted two more penalties, and Gloucester capped a dominant first half with their second try. Scrumhalf Mikey Austin's precise chip allowed fullback Charlie Atkinson to chase and ground the ball over the line, giving the Cherry and Whites a 13-point cushion at the break.

The hosts, trailing 18-5, transformed their performance after the interval. Substitute hooker Ewan Ashman burrowed over from close range early in the second half to reduce the...