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Skivington braced for return to former club 8 months after awkward exit
George Skivington is looking forward to his first visit to London Irish eight months after he quit his assistant coach role to take over at Gallagher Premiership rivals Gloucester, a decision that caused acrimony between the two clubs.
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Skivington was still under contract at Irish when Gloucester recruited him as the successor to Johan Ackermann and the Exiles club claimed the approach had broken the league’s code of conduct.
There has been no public indication that the dispute was eventually settled and Skivington refused to talk about his change of allegiance when he first faced the media in August, stating: “I’m not going to talk about that, thanks. I’m not going there.”
Since then, though, Gloucester played Irish at Kingsholm, winning 36-23 when the teams met last September. Now Skivington is set to make his first trip back to his old club and he was enthusiastic about the prospect.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the stadium because I never actually saw it,” he said ahead of Saturday’s renewal at the new Community Stadium in Brentford.
Short-term injury cover at out-half could also now be on the cards at Gloucester #GallagherPrem
https://t.co/cuLsSd4Hel— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 2, 2021
“I was a part of building where they [Irish] are now over a good few years and I have got a lot of friends there. I look forward to seeing them face to face and I look forward to getting stuck in and having a good game of rugby hopefully.”
Irish suffered relegation during Skivington’s time coaching there under Declan Kidney, but they have since rebuilt and are now enjoying their second season back in the Premiership knowing that a win over bottom club Gloucester will take them into the top half of the table.
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Skivington sees similarities between the rebuild that has now commenced at Gloucester and what Irish went through – although he will, of course, want to ensure relegation isn’t part of that process.
“They [Irish] are playing great rugby. I was part of that process of going through the last few years getting there. A few years ago it was pretty painful work at Irish, getting the process and foundations in place, and now they are really prospering off that period. They are in good form and I expect they will do good things this year.
“Different players, different club, different processes but I have been through this before when it was London Irish. Three or four years ago we were fighting really hard and decided, ‘Let’s go down this route and rebuild this properly’. That is what we did for that period.
“I knew when I left London Irish I was leaving at the point where it would probably kick on and at the back end of last season pre-covid London Irish were starting to win games and creeping up the table.
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“It was a painful process. You sort of forget from the outside when things are going well for teams the pain they have been through to get there. From my point of view, I have been in this process before and London Irish is going well off the back of years of building correctly.”
Creevy is delivering on the pitch as part of the most capped pack the Premiership has ever seen.
– reports @chrisjonespress ??? https://t.co/tl7G2mFw9F
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 4, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Some thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to comments