Rob Andrew, with his Kingsholm ban lifted, turned up on Saturday to face the Shed's music and a predictable reception from the crowd he accused of racism.

Newcastle's normally voluble director of rugby was silenced by a 60-point humbling on the pitch and by a ceaseless haranguing off it.

"Andrew is welcome back here any time he likes," bellowed one supporter when Gloucester began to dominate, "as long as he brings this team with him."

The Shed revels in its reputation as the most partisan terrace in English club rugby and the humour which rippled through it on Saturday was intent on taking Andrew to the gallows.

"We want 50," they chanted as the tries flowed. Their wish was granted, so they upped their demands: "We want 60." That, too, was duly delivered.

When Andrew took up his place opposite the West Country singers, they responded with a chorus of "Ollie, Ollie", showing their support for the French hooker Olivier Azam, whose fight with the Tongan Epi Taione last December had ignited this race row.

Azam's response was emphatic. Clearly buoyed by supporters, he was a strong candidate for man-of-the-match. His every touch and there were many was cheered and, when Nigel Melville brought him off minutes from the end, he raised a hand to acknowledge the ovation. He has always protested innocence of the allegations and the Shed has stuck by him.

"Ollie was awesome today," said a grateful fan. "You could see him was really fired up."

"Why would Azam make racist comments?," said another. "He classes himself as non-white because his father is Moroccan. Why would we make racist comments? Half our team are foreign, so we'd hardly insult our own players."

But they did insult Andrew and how they enjoyed it. "Are you watching, Rob Andrew?" they inquired after each try. They had plenty of occasions to ask.

"The reponse couldn't have been better," said one supporter. "We really rubbed his [Andrew's] nose in it."

Soiled nose or not, Andrew stood characteristically firm under the high ball of criticism, his arms folded defensively across his chest throughout.

"What's your excuse this time, Andrew?" one man shouted repeatedly. The former England fly-half did not have one.

The Gloucester supporters dropped a defamation action against Andrew only on the condition that he apologised, which he eventually did last week.

"This is a very sorry performance, Rob," said one supporter as a vibrant Gloucester team completed the rout. "Your apology is accepted."