Skivington to head up England A coaching team
SALFORD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Gloucester Rugby head coach George Skivington looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Sale Sharks and Gloucester Rugby at Salford City Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Salford, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
Gloucester boss George Skivington will take charge of the England A team that will face Portugal next month.
Skivington captained England men’s second team, formerly known as the Saxons, on a number of occasions between 2008 and 2010, beating the Portuguese in 2009 and lifting the Churchill Cup the following year.
The 41-year-old will be assisted by fellow Cherry and Whites coach Dom Waldouck, who he played alongside in the Saxons victory against Os Lobos at Edgeley Park in 2009, who will manage the team’s defence.
Northampton Saints’ Sam Vesty will run the England A attack, and England head coach Steve Borthwick will have the final say over the selection of the 23 man squad that will play at Welford Road.
“It’s a massive honour to be asked by Conor (O’Shea) and Steve (Borthwick) to lead the England Men’s A team next month. I recognise the trust they have placed in me with this opportunity, and I look forward to linking up with the coaching group and the squad in February.
“I’m delighted that Dom Waldouck will be joining me as defence coach. His passion for the game and dedication to his craft makes him an exciting young coach who I think will develop to be one of the best in the country.
“The England Men’s A team will serve as a good opportunity for young English players on the cusp of international honours to show what they’re about.”
The 25 February fixture will be the first time that England have fielded an official second team for their men since 2016, when a Saxons team toured South Africa and narrowly won both matches against their A side.
Portugal may not be able to field their strongest side with the match coming in between the group and knockout stages of the Rugby Europe Championship, but RFU executive director of performance rugby Conor O’Shea was optimistic about the new coaching team and the test England’s emerging talent have lined up.
“We’re fortunate to possess a coaching staff boasting a wealth of experience in the game that totals decades and will be a fantastic match for the appropriate challenge of Os Lobos.
“Each member of the coaching staff was picked with the consideration of their ability to develop young players and bringing international talent to the top of English rugby.
“This fixture, as well as the England Men’s A games to come, aims to elevate that platform and build a consistent pathway for young English players into the senior level of the game in this country.”
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