Gloucester held on to win 24-22 against Worcester Warriors this afternoon in a competitive Aviva Premiership game that saw seven lead changes.

Gloucester flew out of the blocks to score a try early as they used a rolling maul from a line-out and Richard Hibbard was the one emerging to go over for his team, but Billy Twelvetrees missed the conversion.

Worcester came back with a try of their own moments later as Cooper Vuna intercepted a pass and ran home untouched, and Tom Heathcote converted to give the visitors an early lead.

Twelvetrees then scored a penalty and Sione Kalamafoni put the hosts further in front with their second try of the day that had to be checked by TMO, but fly-half Twelvetrees sliced another conversion for his side.

Worcester's Ryan Mills then replied to another Twelvetrees penalty to make it 16-10 before prop Niall Annett touched the ball down across the line, and Heathcote converted again as the Warriors went ahead for the second time.

Another Twelvetrees penalty changed the lead again but the 26-year-old had another chance to extend that before the break, although his indifferent kicking performance continued with his effort hitting the post.

Vuna scored a second try after the break with another excellent run but Ryan Lamb, on for Heathcote, missed the following conversion.

David Halaifouna went over to retake the lead after finishing a strong Gloucester attack, and James Hook failed to hit the conversion as Twelvetrees was taken off kicking duties.

Jonny May thought he had put his side further in front moments later but his try was ruled out for a forward pass, much to the displeasure of the Gloucester crowd.

Despite some late Warriors pressure, Gloucester held on as they head to third in the Aviva Premiership table while Worcester remain in ninth.