'Despite the carnage... the actual product on the field has never been better'
Gloucester head coach George Skivington believes the Gallagher Premiership’s on-pitch product “has never been better” after his team shaded an eight-try thriller against Bristol.
The season’s opening month has been dominated by Wasps and Worcester being suspended from the Premiership amid financial difficulties which threaten their existence.
Worcester are already in administration, Wasps look set to follow suit on Monday and the combined effect has left English professional club rugby’s flagship competition in a state of meltdown.
The quality of rugby being produced is unquestioned, though, with high-octane encounters being played out across the league.
Gloucester’s 31-28 victory over Bristol at Kingsholm proved another shining example, with Adam Hastings’ 76th-minute penalty decisive.
“Pat (Bristol rugby director Pat Lam) and I spoke before the game about how, despite all the carnage in the background, the actual product on the field has never been better,” Skivington said.
“I am sure for a neutral it was a great game. Not so much the coaches.
“We are finding ourselves on the back foot and digging ourselves out. Those games have gone the other way (in the past).
“Bristol at home two years ago, it was heading for a draw and we gave away a penalty in pretty much exactly the same spot and lost. We are in more of these games than we were previously.
“I thought our scrum was outstanding, but our lineout and maul probably didn’t fire to the level we are used to firing at. We will take that as a blip and work hard on that.
“The old adage of a win’s a win is so true. The doggedness, I am always proud of this team from that point of view.”
Gloucester led three times, only for Bristol to pull themselves level on each occasion, before prop Val Rapava-Ruskin’s second try just after the hour mark tied things up after the visitors had gone in front.
Flanker Jordy Reid, Rapava-Ruskin and lock Freddie Clarke claimed first-half touchdowns, yet Bristol ensured a rollercoaster encounter through equalising tries for Sam Bedlow, his fellow centre Piers O’Conor and prop Ellis Genge.
Andy Uren’s 56th-minute try edged Bristol ahead and Callum Sheedy kicked his fourth successful conversion, but Hastings’ fourth conversion after Rapava-Ruskin crossed for a second time set up the opportunity for the fly-half’s winning strike.
Despite Bristol being on the wrong end of the scoreline, Lam took heart from a vastly-improved display after his side lost 50-14 against Exeter last time out.
“We looked a lot better this week,” Lam said. “We needed to stay in our system in the second half, which we did, although it was unfortunate we butchered a couple of tries.
“You always worry if you are not creating opportunities, but we created heaps today. We had plenty of chances, but unfortunately we didn’t finish them.
“It is not an easy place to play, Kingsholm. Fair play to George (Skivington) and what they have done here.
“It was a real test and it was neck and neck right until the end. At this level you are tested about getting the little things done really well.
“The Premiership is tough. Any points you can get are massive. We took two today and we are gutted we missed out on three more.
“There is some very good rugby being played in the Premiership at the moment. The product is awesome.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
19 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
19 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
19 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
19 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to comments