Gloucester Rugby’s head coach, George Skivington, is meticulously crafting his pre-season strategy with a sharp emphasis on strengthening the team’s defence. This focus comes in light of a challenging 2025/26 Gallagher Premiership season, where Gloucester’s defence ranked seventh-worst in the league, conceding an average of 32 points per game across 18 rounds. This defensive frailty placed substantial pressure on the team’s attack and highlighted an urgent need for improvement.
Integral to this renewed focus is the recruitment of Joel Tomkins from Super League side Catalan Dragons as the new defence coach, succeeding Dom Waldouck. Tomkins, a dual-code international, brings a fresh perspective from rugby league. Skivington acknowledges that integrating Tomkins’ defensive philosophies will require patience and time. “Joel’s coming from a different code, and he’s doing a huge amount of work. He’s going to need time to embed himself and his methods within the club,” Skivington explained. Confident in Tomkins’ expertise and commitment, he added, “He’s an extremely diligent individual with extensive union experience and a sharp eye on the game.”
Additionally, Brett Deacon joins Gloucester as forwards coach, arriving from Leicester Tigers to take on the newly created role. Skivington noted that Deacon’s transition should be more straightforward given his rugby union credentials and coaching style, which align closely with Gloucester’s principles. “Brett’s been a forwards coach at high-level setups before, and living and breathing the role here will only enhance our pack’s performance,” said Skivington.
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The coaching changes coincide with high-profile player acquisitions to bolster Gloucester’s forward pack. Welsh internationals Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan are set to join the squad following their Nations Championship commitments, adding strength and experience. Meanwhile, locks Joe Joyce and Jean Kleyn, sourced from Connacht and Munster respectively, are expected to arrive earlier in the pre-season, allowing them ample time to integrate and adapt to the team environment.
With these strategic hires and fresh talent, Gloucester’s pre-season promises significant transformation focused on defensive resilience and forward power. Skivington and his coaching team are committed to embedding these changes gradually to deliver improved performances in the upcoming campaign.