Consistency key for coach Skivington
GEORGE Skivington believes continuity will help Gloucester make the step up into the top four next season after narrowly missing out on the playoffs.
They finished two points behind Northampton after concluding their campaign by achieving a first Premiership double over Saracens for 14 years.
Their fifth place finish came after they were one off the bottom of the table in 2020-21 having averaged two points a game.
This year, tey increased it by 50 per cent and they are now back in the Heineken Champions Cup.
Head coach Skivington has only made one sign so far for next season with London Irish No 8 Albert Tuisue on his way to Kingsholm and three players last week left the club, including full-back Jason Woodward.
“The focus was on retention because I wanted to keep the squad together,” said Skivington, who took over two years ago.
“The salary cap makes it
challenging for the next couple of years, but I am really happy with the group.
“I was also aware that the club had gone through a lot of turbulence in the last few years. When I came here, a lot of things were up in the air. People left because of Covid and there was a lot of change in the club.
“To get success, you need consistency in your players and staff. That takes time. Chopping and changing and trying to find guys who will light it up is a short-term fix. It might work for a season, but it is not a long-term approach.
“We have some really good people in the building. I would love to say we will keep everyone together for the next five years while bringing some youngsters through and signing the right people in ones and twos but I know that is not always the reality of professional sport. One addition for next season is a good start.”
Skivington has signed a new contract with Gloucester and having settled in the area with his family said he had no intention of moving away any time soon.
“This is my home now,” said Skivington, a member of London Irish’s coaching team before he came to Gloucester. “My objective is to be here for as long as possible.
“I am very grateful for the new contract and the club has backed my longterm approach through the highs and lows so far.
“My objective is to keep the club at the right end of the table consistently and put ourselves in a position to win trophies.
“At my age you learn on the job and to get sustainable success you need to be able to mould things rather than have preconceived ideas.”