As Gloucester fans know better than any other band of Premiership supporters, it is the hope that kills you. Already, over just four matches - two wins and two losses, naturally - this season feels in some ways like a microcosm of the nine years since their play-off appearance.

A talented team has flattered and then deceived. Although Johan Ackermann is injecting attacking ambition and imparting some unconventional, effective patterns, discipline has proven a problem.

Besides a glut of handling errors, their hefty tally of 47 penalties - one every seven minutes - has crippled them. Friday’s win 24-19 over Worcester could and should have been sewn up far before the final play.

Two incidents from the match, both revolving around the much-debated practice of ‘escorting’ on a kick-return, illustrate how Gloucester are surrendering momentum and serve as a warning against trying to be too cute.

Early escape

Prior to this game, Worcester coach Carl Hogg told BT Sport’s Ugo Monye that his side were prepared to kick long to Gloucester and coordinate their chase in hope of suffocating their opponents and controlling territory.

Clearly, given the pace and athleticism of the hosts’ back three - not to mention the freedom that Johan Ackermann has instilled, encouraging his side to spread the ball from deep - this is a ploy that requires accurate defensive organisation.