Onto the field stepped Olly Barkley who proceded to orchestrate a clinical Gloucester display full of the killer instinct that Saints aspire to.

Barkley set up two tries as Gloucester's slick passing opened up Saints three times in the first half with the visitors' attacks looking cumbersome in comparison.

Once again, though, Saints were far from disgraced against a side that leapt to the top of the Premiership for 24 hours.

In terms of territory and possession the visitors shaded it and there were plenty of breaks to get excited by. But the execution wasn't there – too many knock-ons or wayward passes halted the pressure.

Saints put in their best performance of the season at the lineout with Christian Day lording it in the air and stealing at least three as five Gloucester throws ended up in the visitors' hands.

The scrum wasn't as secure with the Saints pack shoved off their own ball in the opening minutes which led to Ryan Lamb's first three points.

And the defence will be looked at closely again by Jim Mallinder and his coaches.

The first try from Iain Balshaw came from a lineout move 30 metres out and Saints failed to lay even a hand on a Cherry & White shirt as Mike Tindall cut back through a gaping hole in midfield.

Saints have conceded seven tries in two games against the two form teams in the league.

But for a side that looked so secure earlier in the season and had only let in 11 in six games it is a worrying turn of events.

And just like Bath, Gloucester found plenty of space out wide. They got
to the wings quickly where Balshaw from full-back and Lesely Vainikolo found room to build up a head of steam.

Saints started by bombarding Balshaw with up-and-unders as they seeked to exploit the vulnerability so often seen in an England shirt.

But for Gloucester it is a different story. He was supreme under the high ball and when Vainikolo passed inside to him he showed his pace to stroll home for the first try.

Luke Narraway went over but Day's first steal at a lineout saw Stephen Myler get Saints on the scoreboard.

Gloucester showed how to finish as Barkley got the better of Myler to bundle over.

At 20-3 at the break Saints were looking at a mauling, but they came out firing and got back in the game.

However Gloucester's fourth try ended the game. It was Saints' biggest defeat of the season but their ambition leaves optimism.