Crisis hit Gloucester set for major overhaul in bid to save season

Gloucester are looking to recruit a new director of rugby and have already begun interviewing candidates as they look to save their season from disaster.

The Kingsholm outfit have lost all five of their PREM games this season, and the three bonus points they have picked up are keeping them ahead of bottom-of-the-table Newcastle Red Bulls, who are still looking for their first point.

They entertain arch-rivals Bath at Kingsholm in the PREM Rugby Cup on Friday night and could make an appointment before entertaining Harlequins in two weeks.

It is understood that the Cherry and Whites want to bring in someone to work above George Skivington, who we believe will stay on as head coach.

A potential recruit would be Skivington’s close friend Toby Booth, who worked together at London Irish and is only on a short contract at Harlequins and Hong Kong rugby.

Booth was also Exiles’ coach when they signed Skivington from Leicester Tigers on a three-year deal in 2012 after coaching him for the England Saxons.

It is not known if Red Roses World Cup-winning coach and former All Blacks head coach John Mitchell, 61, who is working with Gloucester as an unpaid consultant this month, is among those who have been interviewed.

The New Zealander, who took up his current job in 2023, is only under contract until the end of the Six Nations next year, and despite winning the World Cup, is yet to be tied down to a long-term contract.

World Rugby’s Coach of the Year will be working on “improving tackle and collision effectiveness” within the team’s “overall defensive development” during his time at Kingsholm.

“His time with Gloucester represents an opportunity for the club’s younger coaching group to learn from one of the game’s most experienced minds as they continue to strengthen their defensive identity,” said a club statement.