Gloucester Rugby’s head coach, George Skivington, is dedicating part of his summer break to delivering a specialized three-day coaching clinic in Fiji, aimed at enhancing the skills of Fijian coaches in the critical areas of setpieces.
A former lock and assistant coach with Samoa during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Skivington focused the program on his areas of expertise: mauls, lineouts, and scrummaging. His goal was to elevate the technical proficiency of the Fijian coaching pathway.
The clinic combined classroom instruction, video analysis, whiteboard discussions, and practical on-field demonstrations. Skivington worked closely with Fiji’s U20s squad, preparing them for the upcoming U20 World Championships in Georgia, set to kick off this weekend.
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Fijian Rugby emphasized the lasting impact expected from this knowledge exchange: “This three-day programme will strengthen Fiji’s rugby framework from grassroots through to the international stage, while reinforcing the partnership between Fiji Rugby and Gloucester Rugby.”
Fiji Rugby CEO Koli Sewabu, who once broke new ground as the first Fijian to play for Gloucester in the 2001/02 season, is a testament to the enduring ties between the two rugby cultures. While there are no current Fijian players at Gloucester’s Kingsholm stadium, notable former players such as Akapusi Qera and Albert Tuisue have proudly worn the Gloucester jersey.
Back in England, Gloucester’s squad will regroup for pre-season training on July 13 following a five-week break. Skivington shared his vision for the upcoming season: “With new coaching staff joining, I’m focused on staying ahead with thorough planning. There are many exciting developments on the horizon, and our international players will return gradually over the summer.”
Looking towards the 2026/27 campaign, Gloucester has strengthened their coaching team by appointing Brett Deacon from Leicester Tigers as forwards coach and Joel Tomkins, formerly of Catalan Dragons rugby league, as defence coach.