Gloucester Rugby’s head coach George Skivington believes the team’s renewed identity is taking shape following their gritty 26-19 Gallagher Premiership win over Harlequins at The Stoop.
A commanding display in the set-piece and a strong finish defined the match, culminating with Arthur Clark’s decisive try in the 73rd minute, completing Gloucester’s league double over Harlequins this season.
Locked in a tight contest for eighth place—and with it a coveted Champions Cup spot—Gloucester currently holds a five-point advantage over their rivals, who now face pressure from struggling Newcastle.
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The addition of veteran Kiwi coach Chris Boyd as technical director, renowned for revitalizing Northampton, has bolstered Gloucester’s tactical approach. Skivington highlighted their recent trip to Toulouse, which proved pivotal in refining their focus post-Six Nations break.
“Before the recent Premiership Rugby Cup games, a few coaches and I visited Toulouse to observe their training and align on our objectives for the rest of the season,” said Skivington.
“We understand the limitations in the league but aim to maximize our points and climb the standings. In these last eight matches, it’s important we embody our identity, pursue our goals, and deliver quality rugby.
“We’ve clearly defined what we want, and against Harlequins, the squad largely delivered. While not flawless, the forwards excelled in the set-piece.
“Set-piece execution has always been a point of pride, but in the past 18 months, as we pushed our attacking game, it had slipped. The forwards have worked extremely hard to regain it over the last couple of months, and it paid off when it counted.”