Skivington is happier, but still not satisfied
GLOUCESTER went into the Premiership break in the top half of the table having spent most of last season near the bottom, but head coach George Skivington is demanding more from his players.
Gloucester’s narrow home defeat to Exeter at the end of last month ended a run of four matches without defeat and Skivington reckons the bye weekend which followed was timely as it gave every- one a chance to catch their breath and reflect.
“I am relatively happy with the start we have made,” he said. “I would have taken being sixth at this stage. We did not get off to the start we wanted in the first couple of games and Exeter was disappointing because we put ourselves in a really good position before they showed their experience.
“This is such a tight league that you learn every game. We have a lot to reflect on but I am pleased with our set-pieces and our defence. We have put the fundamentals in place and our kicking game is strong, but there are bits where we can push on.”
Gloucester are in a considerably better position than this time last season when they were in the middle of a run of eight successive league defeats which left them jockeying with Worcester for the bottom position.
“The real growth is in how the players are conducting themselves and how on it they are,” said Skivington. “How you conduct yourself and how hard you work translate into results. We are making progress, but I am never overly happy and self-reflection can be painful sometimes. Players have to have an X-factor to have made it to this level and they have to back themselves. I am most impressed with someone who turns up each day when things are not going well but stays on task.
“That is what professional sport is about and it is something about this group I really like now: I have never seen a group of lads who have not had much game time work so hard in the background.
“Only the tough survive: it can be three or four years before a young player gets his body right and has
an opportunity. It is repeating yourself week in week out and the characters who can stay on it and keep working hard stand out for me.”
Skivington was at Twickenham last weekend to watch his centre Mark Atkinson make his England debut off the bench against Tonga having impressed over the years in an inconsistent side.
“It was a really special day for him and just rewards for all the hard work he has put in,” said Skivington. “It was really good to be there to see it. The nature of sport is that you take your chance when it comes. He is an England international now and I hope he gets more and more caps.
“He has been outstanding in the year and a half I have been at Gloucester. He understands the game well and he is really consistent which is why he deserves more chances with England.”