Gloucester coach George Skivington on pain of form slump

Under-pressure George Skivington says he is enduring the hardest spell of his decade-long coaching career after Gloucester’s miserable form continued with defeat away to Newcastle Red Bulls on Friday.

The Cherry and Whites, who missed out the play-offs by two points last season, have lost eight of their nine Prem matches so far in this campaign.

The club are close to bringing in a new figure above Skivington to ease his director of rugby responsibilities and allow him to focus more on day-to-day coaching.

“It hurts and it hurts a lot,” said Skivington of his side’s form.

“I don’t feel any animosity to anybody who’s not my biggest fan right now – I actually get it, I support teams, it’s sport.

“But I think if you actually step back and look at what we’re dealing with, it is tough.

“There is nobody wearing this more than I am right now.”

To emphasise the point, Skivington revealed a recent conversation with his wife “which wasn’t too pleasant”.

He said she told him he’s “never at home” and she “doesn’t see him anymore”.

“That’s just what it’s like right now,” he added. “So if anybody thinks I’m driving home in the car, sitting back, enjoying a glass of wine, that is definitely not happening.

“Pro sport is tough, and when it’s good, it’s great, but this is definitely the toughest spell I’ve dealt with.

“There’s not a lot of joy in it right now for us and I appreciate the supporters and what they think, but it will get better.”

Gloucester have been hit by a raft of injuries. Last year’s Premiership player of the year Tomos Williams was a late withdrawal from starting line-up to face Newcastle, while Ben Loader, Max Llewellyn, Will Joseph, Jack Singleton and Ben Redshaw are also out.

Will Crane started at hooker at Kingston Park having only joined up from Hartpury a few days before, while 18-year-old outside centre Will Knight has featured in the past three rounds of league matches.