Gloucester Appoint Skivington as Head Coach
Gloucester Rugby have announced that George Skivington will become the next head coach of club following the departure of Johan Ackermann. His role will simply not be as the head coach of the club, after the departure of Ackermann and Director of Rugby, David Humphreys, Skivington will assume both roles at the club.
Skivington, who captained the England Saxons and played for London Irish, London Wasps and Leicester Tigers went on to coach the Samoan national team and become a highly touted coach as London Irish.
The 37-year-old is considered one of the best young coaches in English Rugby and joins the Kingsholm club from London Irish where he was their forwards coach.
The former London Irish forwards coach wants to revert back to the style of play that has brought Gloucester success over the years. "When Gloucester has been successful it’s always been built on having a formidable pack. We need make sure we have a pack that has the kind of reputation that it used to have.
“When we do that, with the skill and pace of the backs we have at the club, we’re going to start getting the results we want again.”
He has also praised the squad that he is inheriting by stating that it possesses some ‘great players’ but has some obvious areas that require ‘improvement’.
For Skivington, the vision of the club was as important as the team. "I’ve been very impressed with everyone I’ve met at the club so far, and the vision they have for the club. What I particularly liked was how far-reaching the vision is, building from the academy, through the first team, and across the whole club. I can’t wait to play my part in it."
As a player, Skivington, ‘never fancied visiting’ Kingsholm and wants ‘to bring back that feeling to the Kingsholm’.
As well as bringing the atmosphere back to Kingsholm, Skivington wishes to create a culture at the club that places the fans and pride of playing for the club at the centre.
The reign of George Skivington will officially begin on 3 July. With the club hoping that this appointment will usher in a new era of success.
