Gloucester add breakdown specialist to coaching team

Former London Irish and Saracens coach Jack Pattinson has joined the Gloucester coaching team as an assistant coach.

Pattinson played a key role in London Irish’s impressive production line of young talent during his five years there, before moving to Saracens, where he headed up the U18 side for two seasons.

In addition to his work developing Gloucester’s young players, Pattinson will assist the senior coaching team in the breakdown and contact area, as the Cherry & Whites strive for quick ball to facilitate their high-tempo game plan.

Gloucester struggled to get quick ball on the opening weekend at Sale, but were vastly improved in this facet of the game in the rollercoaster match against Northampton, which was also lost.

With Tomos Williams at his sprightly best, Gloucester managed to get the ball away from the ruck in fewer than three seconds two-thirds (66%) of the time, whereas they only managed 30% against the Sharks.

“Jack has done exceptional work with young players in his time at both London Irish and Saracens. We’re going to benefit a lot from his expertise there,” Gloucester’s Director of Rugby, George Skivington, commented.

“With the expanded academy boundaries and the number of young, talented players in our system, having another specialist coach on hand to learn from will be great.

“He’ll also work hand-in-hand with the other senior coaches, with a focus on improving our breakdown area, which can help push our game further, allowing us to imprint our fast, attacking game plan.”

Pattinson becomes the fourth member of the senior coaching team with previous London Irish connections, following Skivington and defence coach Dom Waldouck, who both played for the Exiles, and attack coach James Lightfoot-Brown, who spent eight years at the club as a coach.