Missed chance haunts George
IN 2022 Gloucester got stung in the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final by an all-too-familiar selection mismatch.
George Skivington opted to continue to select the young players that earned his side a place in the last four, but with silverware on the line, their rivals that day at Kingsholm, Worcester, put out close to their strongest side to win 39-25 before going on to beat London Irish in the final a couple of weeks later.
It might be the least prestigious of the three trophies up for grabs this season, but for the silverware-starved Cherry and Whites it was a missed opportunity and director of rugby Skivington knows it.
With, Exeter coming to Kingsholm this weekend with a place in the cup final at stake, Skivington was clear Saturday’s match will not be treated as a development match.
Winning is the name is the game having snapped their losing streak to win their last three games in all competitions.
Explaining the rules around selection, Skivington said: “Anyone who didn’t play in the group stages can’t play in the knockout stages, so your World Cup players, your internationals can’t play.
“But because of the format of this competition this season we did end up using our whole squad, so from that point of view everyone has earned the right to play in the semi-final.
“A couple of years ago I used young players right the way through, I felt they had earned us a place in the knockout stages so had a right to play in the knockout stages.
“I am still on board with that the only difference is everyone played in group stages this year.
“We are certainly not taking the approach it is a development game. This is an important game.”
So while the likes of Jonny May, Santi Carreras, Matias Alemanno and Albert Tuisue will have to sit out the game, Skivington has plenty of experienced Premiership operators to call upon.
He added: “It is just exciting to be in a proper knockout, competitive game and I expect Exeter to be approaching it the same way we are. We are excited to be in the knockout stages, this is an opportunity to do something as a group and make our mark.”