The match was tightly poised at the break after a thrilling first 40, with Gloucester’s Louis Rees-Zammit, Santiago Carreras and Santiago Socino all crossing. Exeter’s Jack Maunder and Ruben van Heerden both scored for the visitors.

But the second half saw Gloucester break away from their opponents, and secure a fourth Premiership win in a row.

In front of the home support at the Kingsholm Stadium, Charlie Chapman, Ruan Ackermann and Lewis Ludlow scored another three tries for Gloucester, while Exeter, who will also play in Pool A of the Heineken Champions Cup, could only score once, Josh Hodge’s unconverted try proving to be no more than a consolation.

In the United Rugby Championship (URC), Leinster Rugby defeated Scarlets comfortably 35-5.

Four-time winners of EPCR’s leading competition, the league leaders were troubled little by their hosts at the Parc y Scarlets.

Two penalty tries and crosses from Chris Cosgrave, Rob Russell and Thomas Clarkson secured a bonus-point win for the Irish province, who will play their first Heineken champions Cup Pool A match against Racing 92 on Saturday December 10.

Heineken Champions Cup Pool A side Gloucester Rugby scored six tries against Exeter Chiefs as they won 38-22 in the Gallagher English Premiership.