George Skivington keen to build identity
Gloucester won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
“Last season was not enjoyable,” said Skivington, Gloucester’s director of rugby who is in his fifth year in charge of the Kingsholm club.
“In a professional career that has been full of highs and lows, it was the first time I could say that.
“I am proud of what I do and what I stand for and I have had a lot of time to reflect on last season.
“My focus going into the new campaign is on identity: we once had a good solid one, a core of what we stood for, but we lost it and became inconsistent, not just in terms of winning and losing but in matches. It was nowhere near good enough.”
Replicating Cup Form
Gloucester won the Premiership Cup, producing their best half of the season in defeating Exeter in the semi-final, and their only non-league defeat came against the Sharks in the Premiership Cup final.
In contrast, their Premiership form hit the floor after victories in the opening two rounds.
They finished one off the bottom and at one point lost a record nine matches in a row, forcing Skivington to prioritise the cup competitions in the new year, and they were thumped 90-0 at Northampton.
“We looked a really good team in the cups and it was hard to explain why there was such a difference in the league,” said Skivington.
“We started the campaign looking to push our attack, but we lost games and then it became about finding a way to win one.
“We lost our identity and we have anchored down on the fundamentals this summer. We had a very good set-piece and defence for a long time, but it dropped off.
“We want to get them back and push our attack again, chancing a few bits and giving it a go.”
Time to deliver
Gloucester are one of the best supported clubs in the country, but they lost six Premiership matches at Kingsholm last season and five the year before.
The only top flight club not to have won there in that time is Harlequins and they made off with the spoils in the 2021-22 campaign.
“Our home form was a dent in our pride,” said Skivington.
“They are games you have to target. It all comes back to who we are and what we stand for, identity. We are very clear about it now and have to represent it every week.
“We played the most players in the Premiership last season.
“We exposed some young players and it was pretty ruthless for some of them. Now they are a bit smarter and wiser and know what is coming.
“Our signings mean we have more experience at half-back in Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe and Christian Wade will bring a different dynamic to our attack.”
Skivington is the youngest director of rugby in the Premiership at 41 and has a network of mentors to offer advice in good times and bad.
He used them last season before resetting priorities, but this summer has been plotting the way forward with his coaching team.
Full Review
“We had a massive review process when we came back,” he said.
“In previous summers I have been pretty active, going to clubs like Wigan and La Rochelle, but the identity question was weighing on me the moment the season ended and I boarded a plane on holiday with my family.
“I then had a few weeks talking to the lads and having a look at myself: what do I want? What do I stand for? I have never been caught out for not working hard, but there was a lot of drama, not least with Louis Reees-Zammit, where I was presented with issues I had not come across before.
“There was a lot to reflect on. I probably let myself get overwhelmed by some of the director of rugby stuff. I am head coach as well and a lot of what goes on off the field can get in your way.
“I was not seeing things on the field as quickly as I would previously. I will not allow that to happen again. I have learned a huge amount in the last couple of years and understand more about the job now. You are always learning, but after last season I see things very clearly.”
Gloucester start their league season at home to Saracens in what will be their first match since Owen Farrell and the Vunipola brothers left for France.
“We have had some interesting games with them, nicking results at each other’s places. They are still top opposition with a number of top quality players and it will be a tough start.
“We will be going full throttle. It is going to be another hard fought Premiership with anyone capable of beating anyone else. We know we need to win more games than last season, there is no sugar-coating that.
“We have real talent here and I intend to get the most out of it.”
READ MORE: Zach Mercer focused on job at Kingsholm
