'We haven't had the rub of the green' - Gloucester plans unchanged by decision to scrap relegation
Gloucester head coach George Skivington insisted his plans for the season are unaffected by the removal of relegation after the Gallagher Premiership’s bottom club pushed leaders Bristol all the way in an 18-17 defeat.
The RFU announced on Friday that there will be no relegation from the top flight at the end of the season and the league will be expanded to 13 teams for 2021-22.
The move takes into consideration the impact of Covid-19 on the game and offers a club like Gloucester a potential reprieve, with the Cherry and Whites sitting at the foot of the table as things stand.
Santiago Carreras scored two first-half tries at Kingsholm on Friday, with Ollie Thorley adding a third and Billy Twelvetrees contributing a conversion, but it was not enough as Ioan Lloyd’s penalty five minutes from time snatched victory for Bristol.
Skivington stressed relegation had never been a consideration for him and his team, even before it was taken off the table.
“We’ve never talked about relegation, it’s just about building every week and getting young Gloucester players involved and whether there’s relegation or not hasn’t changed any of our plans,” he said.
“The pain of a late loss in a derby is difficult to take but we are heading along the road nicely.
“Our line-out let us down big time today but we had opportunities to make it count – the last couple of passes mis-fired at crucial times.”
Gloucester chief executive Lance Bradley welcomed the decision to scrap relegation, adding: “All clubs in the Premiership have had to suffer a serious impact on their finances and to add relegation to that would be catastrophic.
“We don’t think we will finish bottom but whoever finishes there, I think it will be unfair for them to go down.
“I don’t think the decision will alter our playing plan for the season as we feel we are improving, which is backed up by the stats.
“We haven’t had the rub of the green and have picked up a number of injuries, but things are coming together and there’s a great atmosphere within the squad.”
The Bears’ tries came from Bryan Byrne and Jake Heenan, with Lloyd adding eight points with the boot in a match in which they were hampered by a number of injuries.
“We caused a lot of hassle for ourselves but we found a way to win,” said Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam.
“We needed to stay in our structures and stay patient but we gave away two interception tries and nearly a third, so there were a lot of apologies in the dressing room.
“Obviously all the injuries were a concern as they are for all coaches. Nathan Hughes had a dead leg, but we will have to assess most of the others and will know more on Monday.”
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John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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