Kyle Sinckler shows Steve Borthwick what he will be missing in Bristol comeback

Gloucester 24 Bristol Bears 33

Kyle Sinckler put his big money move to the South of France to one side to help inspire a Bristol recovery win at Kingsholm and boost hopes of making the play-offs.

Steve Borthwick was an interested onlooker, knowing the prop’s decision to quit the Premiership at the end of the campaign for Toulon could well bring the curtain down on his international career.

Bristol Director of Rugby Pat Lam admitted he could understand Sinckler’s desire to switch to Top 14.

Sinckler, who has been capped 68 times, celebrated his 31st birthday with a win and Lam said: “I’ve been in their shoes and have to make decisions for the best.

“Everyone is going to come to an end at some stage but when they are here it’s about being loyal to the contract you sign. And Kyle has been superb for us.

“His is the best form he’s been in. He was disappointed after the World Cup and also not making the Six Nations squad. You can sit and be a victim or you can get on with things and play your best for the team. That’s what he’s doing.”

Ellis Genge is one player still firmly in Borthwick’s England plans. And Genge, who has led his country with real pride and conviction since Owen Farrell opted to take a break from the spotlight, produced a typically dynamic and powerful display as Bristol came out on top and grabbed West Country bragging rights.

Genge again put his head and body on the line with a wholehearted display as Bears overturned a 24-19 deficit and picked up a bonus point win which leaves them in sixth in the table but just two points out of the play-off places.

A fast, furious and chaotic first 40 minutes saw both sides throw caution to the wind and participate in an exhausting and end-to-end contest. Defence had been left behind in the dressing room . . . it was attack, attack, attack.

Exciting young Welsh wing Josh Hathaway sparked the game into life with a sublime individual try down the left. It was a touch of class and acrobatic finishing from the 20-year-old, chipping the ball over the defence and then being able to dive and ground it before it bounced into touch.

It merely woke Bears from their early spring slumber with centre Bernhard Janse van Rensburg racing through a gap and off-loading to supporting Fitz Harding. The flanker coasted across unchallenged with AJ MacGinty levelling matters.

In the blink of an eye Carerras was strolling across the line at the other end for Gloucester’s second try.

MacGinty was left ruing his pass out wide left meant for Max Malins. It flow over the England full-back’s head and a grateful Carreras was clear with no Bristol defender within shouting distance. He was accompanied all the way on his 50-metre jaunt by Hathaway just for good measure.

The home fans had only stopped cheering when they had to start again as the sight of hooker Adam McBurney finishing off another sweeping move on the left gave the hosts a clear lead. Bristol’s defence was cut to ribbons again.

Carreras continued his major impact on events by kicking another fine long range penalty but it was Bears who had the final word of the first half with Harding’s break leading to Gabriel Ibitoye to give the supporting Magnus Bradbury an easy score in the left corner. The No 8 obliged and the fans were lapping up every thrilling moment of a pulsating contest.

The relentless attacks continued into the second half without the addition of more points until Bradbury forced over from close range to complete his brace. MacGinty’s conversion nudged Bears’ noses ahead for the first time with 13 minutes remaining.

A fifth try from van Rensburg five minutes from time sealed the victory with MacGinty added the final points of a scintillating and entertaining affair.

Lam added: “We are right in there with a chance of making the top four but it’s very open. We just have to keep performing.

Gloucester Director of Rugby George Skivington said: “We were outstanding in that first-half and scored some excellent tries. But, for some reason, we failed to repeat in in the second and started making mistakes and allowing them to control the game.