George Skivington's positive spin on Gloucester's 57-0 loss to Leinster
Gloucester head coach George Skivington was proud of the “fighting spirit” his young team showed in a 57-0 defeat to Heineken Champions Cup Pool A pacesetters Leinster at the RDS.
Skivington took the blame for the lopsided scoreline after resting a high number of frontline players ahead of their Gallagher Premiership clash with Leicester.
Leinster cruised to their second bonus-point victory of the campaign, building a 31-0 half-time lead and finishing with nine tries shared between James Lowe (2), Josh van der Flier, Ronan Kelleher (2), Luke McGrath, Jordan Larmour and Caelan Doris.
“It is not enjoyable to lose and not enjoyable to lose in that fashion, but in the context of the group we brought and to play a team that went to Racing and won 42-10 last week, I thought some of those young lads showed some real fighting spirit,” insisted Skivington.
“That was the marker today, how long you were going to fight for and do the basics well and see how it goes. We put some pressure on Leinster but didn’t quite execute against a very strong defence. The fight and intent of the boys was spot on.”
George Barton, Alex Hearle and Arthur Clark, who made his mark with a couple of lineout steals, all went off injured during the first half, while the Cherry and Whites also had to cope with sin-binnings for front rowers Henry Walker and Ciaran Knight.
Skivington was criticised in many quarters for bringing a shadow side across the Irish Sea, but he took responsibility for the nine-try loss as he moves on to league matters and then that return fixture against Leinster in mid-January.
“I thought the boys did everything I asked of them, but the score’s on me. It’s not a reflection of the players.
“Leinster are very well coached, very well drilled and they don’t blow their roles and that’s why they’re the favourites for the tournament. It’s not a nice scoreline but they put big scorelines on huge French clubs.”
That January 14 trip to Kingsholm was on Leo Cullen’s mind as the Leinster head coach reflected on the performance and what lies ahead for his table-topping outfit.
“Gloucester, when they play at Kingsholm in front of the Shed, it’s a very, very proud club there so I’m sure they’ll come out firing,” he acknowledged.
“They have other players who I’m sure they’ll bring back into the picture as well, so it’s important that we’re not getting carried away with ourselves as well.
“But it’s nice to have 10 points on the board and looking forward to the challenge that’s ahead.”
Cullen’s charges are doubly determined to secure home advantage in the knockout rounds, following last year’s Covid-19-disrupted campaign that saw them miss out on crucial points when Montpellier were awarded a 28-0 win by EPCR following positive cases.
“The nil part is probably the most pleasing thing because they did have opportunities, some great scramble, a ‘young player’ (Jonathan Sexton) coming on the end there making a try-saving tackle over the line. That was good to see,” he added.
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’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.
54 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.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments