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'I definitely feel that way... That’s the discussions I had with the board, CEO and owners'
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George Skivington is back in his happy place on the training pitch, and Gloucester reaped the rewards at the weekend after completing a league double over fellow strugglers Harlequins for the first time in 19 years.
The Cherry and Whites have sent for the cavalry in the form of veteran former Northampton Saints boss Chris Boyd, who has joined as technical director, and Bath’s recruitment boss Rob Burgess, who starts work as general manager next Monday.
Skivington is staying on at Kingsholm next season and will now be freed to lace up his boots and do what he loves – coaching – after finding himself spending longer in meetings than working with players.
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And he is the first to admit that Gloucester have suffered this season because the job he was asked to take on is too big for one man to do on his own in the modern game.
“I’ve definitely been on the pitch more over these last two months, certainly. You know, there are a few things I wanted to go after. I’ve really enjoyed mapping a few bits out and having my boots on properly and getting stuck into the lads.
Gallagher Premiership
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Northampton
11
9
1
1
48
2
Bath
11
9
2
0
46
3
Leicester
11
8
3
0
41
4
Exeter Chiefs
11
7
3
1
40
5
Bristol
11
8
3
0
37
6
Saracens
11
5
6
0
32
7
Sale
11
3
8
0
20
8
Gloucester
11
2
9
0
16
9
Harlequins
11
2
9
0
11
10
Newcastle
11
1
10
0
7
“But I’ve made a point of being much more on the pitch than I have been in recent times, and when Rob (Burgess) gets here, that’ll really free me up a little bit. There’s a whole load of admin stuff that he can just take straight away, conversations and agents.
“I definitely feel that way (the job being too big for one person). That’s the discussions that I had with the board, CEO and owners, you know, a long time ago now.
“I felt that last year, it was a good season on the field in terms of results, but I felt we would have been better had I had a hold of the things that I take pride in, and I felt that’s where we fell short against some of the best teams last year.
“I started as a head coach, and when Brownie (Alex Brown) became CEO, things opened up, and you take a little bit more and a little bit more, and you become director of rugby.
“And before you know it, you’re in all sorts of meetings and talking about all sorts of stuff, and it’s really hard to keep your eye on everything and do a really good job of everything.
“I had various players last season speak to me and say, like, you know, we need you on this, and it’s sort of just got away from me a little bit. I’m really, really excited because I feel I can get back to doing what I’m best at,” he told RugbyPass.
