George Skivington is facing perhaps the most challenging period of his coaching career. Amid calls from some fans for his dismissal, his Gloucester side currently sits ninth in the league following a narrow 25-19 defeat to Newcastle Falcons on Friday.
Persistent injuries have forced Skivington to constantly revise his strategies, frustrating his initial plans for the squad he carefully assembled. “The toughest part for me is that all the pre-season plans from week one of the Premiership have fallen apart. We haven’t been able to field the same team consistently. Each day brings new setbacks from the physios, making it a week-by-week challenge to simply put a side on the pitch,” Skivington explained.
Gloucester is reportedly in the midst of recruiting a new director of rugby, which would see Skivington transition into the head coach role. However, the search has been protracted, with at least one candidate withdrawing late in the process. Notably, John Dobson, the Stormers’ director of rugby who recently renewed his contract, was rumored to be a contender for the role.
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Skivington candidly admits that juggling multiple responsibilities has led to some shortcomings. “I cover a lot of bases—and I enjoy all of them—but the reality is you can’t do everything perfectly. I haven’t been able to give my best in every area,” he acknowledged.
Understanding the frustrations of Gloucester’s passionate supporters, Skivington expressed empathy. “I get the emotions around sport; it’s everyone’s right to feel that way. I don’t take any animosity personally. I’m the one bearing the weight of this tough spell more than anyone.”
Though this is the most difficult phase he has faced, Skivington’s passion for the game remains intact. “There’s not much joy right now, but it will get better,” he assured.
While his immediate focus is on the upcoming Champions Cup clash against Edinburgh Rugby, Skivington also looked ahead with cautious optimism: “We’ve already secured world-class signings like Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake. We also have a couple more major signings to announce soon, which will be very positive. Our young players will grow from this experience, but I’m taking it one step at a time.”