Skivington's brutal admission as RCT throw Gloucester out of Champions Cup

Gloucester boss George Skivington admitted his team were “out-powered and out-punched” in some areas after suffering Investec Champions Cup elimination.

Toulon’s 31-14 victory at Kingsholm meant injury-ravaged Gloucester finished bottom of Pool Two and were unable to even clinch a consolation Challenge Cup place.

The French side did not look back following early tries by wings Gael Drean and Mathis Ferte, with Gloucester never seriously threatening a meaningful recovery.

Flanker Lewis Ludlam also crossed for the visitors during a one-sided opening half as they guaranteed themselves a home tie in the round of 16, before Drean added an 80th-minute bonus-point clincher.

Gloucester’s defeat, despite tries by Jack Clement and Tomos Williams, meant that Edinburgh progressed from Pool Two alongside Toulon, Bath and Castres, with Toulon and Bath securing round of 16 home ties.

Investec Champions Cup

Pool 1

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Glasgow

3

3

0

0

15

2

Toulouse

4

2

2

0

12

3

Sale

4

2

2

0

11

4

Saracens

3

2

1

0

10

5

Sharks

4

2

2

0

10

6

Clermont

4

0

4

0

0

Pool 2

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Bath

4

3

1

0

16

2

Toulon

4

3

1

0

14

3

Castres

4

2

2

0

10

4

Edinburgh

4

2

2

0

10

5

Munster

4

1

3

0

8

6

Gloucester

4

1

3

0

6

Pool 3

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Leinster

4

4

0

0

18

2

Stormers

4

3

1

0

14

3

Harlequins

3

2

1

0

11

4

Leicester

4

1

3

0

6

5

Stade Rochelais

3

1

2

0

6

6

Bayonne

4

0

4

0

0

Pool 4

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Bordeaux

3

3

0

0

15

2

Bristol

3

3

0

0

14

3

Northampton

3

2

1

0

11

4

Bulls

4

1

3

0

7

5

Pau

4

1

3

0

6

6

Scarlets

3

0

3

0

2

“We got punched out in a few positions is the reality of it,” rugby director Skivington said.

“Some of their players are world-class, and some of our lads are learning their trade, and that really showed tonight.

“We have got to learn fast, and some of those guys have got to understand the really fundamental parts of the game that are crucial.

“I thought the boys did some really good stuff tonight and left everything out there. I thought they were heroic in defence and in work-rate.

“When you go behind like that early, it is very easy to drop your head and think that’s it, and I thought they fought their way back in. Ultimately, we got out-powered and out-punched in a few positions.

“The boys were brave the way they played. Experience and power just caught us out at times.”

Gallagher Prem champions Bath are next up for Gloucester in six days’ time, and Skivington admitted the injury situation is not becoming easier regarding absent players returning.

He added: “We are strapped in a lot of positions at the moment – that is the reality of where we are right now. We haven’t got anyone coming back in the next couple of weeks.

“We have got to be positive and work hard. Some of the young guys tonight really learnt some lessons, and the important bit is that we do learn the lessons and not just park up.

“I understand that it is frustrating for all of us. We have numbers in a couple of positions, and that’s it. We can scream and shout, but that is not going to get us anywhere.”