Gloucester announced the appointment of Skivington as the new head coach on Saturday
By Tony Tighe
Last update: 28.06.2010, 10:39 a.m.
According to the Irish, George Skivington is under contract until 2021
The Irish from London say that Gloucester hasn’t given them an approach to speak to their striker coach George Skivington and are considering their options.
Gloucester announced the appointment of Exiles striker coach Skivington as new head coach on Saturday. The 37-year-old is scheduled to take up his new role on July 3.
According to the Irish, Skivington, who became her striker coach after retiring in 2016, remains under contract until June 2021 and believes Gloucester has violated the Premiership rugby protocols.
Irish CEO Brian Facer said: “To say that we are disappointed with Gloucester’s announcement is an understatement.
“George is very popular and respected in Hazelwood and it is understandable that we don’t want to lose him, especially just before the game resumes after the suspension.
“We also know that he is an ambitious young man who would enjoy the opportunity to become head coach of a club one day.
“However, the minutes clearly show that a club must be addressed in writing if there is more than six months left for the contract, regardless of whether it is a player or a coach.
George Skivington spent four seasons as a player with London Irish before retiring in 2016 and switching to his coaching staff
“George is under contract with London Irish until June 2021 and has not violated the required notice period or contractual terms.
“More importantly, we have never received a proactive message from Gloucester.
“We therefore believe that Gloucester has violated the Premiership Rugby Code of Conduct in terms of incentives and approaches to a contractor, coaching staff and other contractor.
“This is an extremely serious problem. We reserve the right to review all of our options under the Premiership Rugby Governance Protocols and other remedies.”
Sky Sports news tried to contact Gloucester for comment
Skivington is impressed by Gloucester’s vision
Former Wasps and Leicester Tigers Lock Skivington was announced to succeed Johan Ackermann, who resigned as head coach of Gloucester last month to take on a coaching role with the Japanese top league team NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes.
This is the most exciting head coach announcement I’ve seen in rugby. The kind of man you build a club around. Very grateful that I can play my last years under him ???? https://t.co/I9Y2vOxC3Q
– Danny Cipriani (@ DannyCipriani87), June 27, 2020
Skivington said: “I was very impressed with everyone I have met at the club so far and the vision they have for the club.
“What I particularly liked was how far-reaching the vision is, from the academy to the first team to the entire club. I can’t wait to play my part in it.”
“When I played, Gloucester was one of several clubs you never wanted to visit. We want to bring that feeling back to Kingsholm.”
Gloucester fly-half Danny Cipriani agreed with Skivington’s appointment and tweeted: “This is the most exciting announcement from a head coach I’ve seen in rugby.
“The kind of man you build a club around. Very grateful to have been able to play under him for the past few years.”
Gloucester is revising his hierarchy and David Humphreys is stepping down as club rugby director.
Gloucester is ninth in the Premiership table with four wins from 13 games
You will not appoint a replacement as Alex Brown is responsible for recruiting after being promoted to chief operating officer.
“I looked at the squad and there are some really great players,” said Skivington.
“It doesn’t have to be rebuilt, but there are obviously a couple or two that need some work.
“If Gloucester was successful, it was always built on having an impressive pack. We need to make sure we have a pack that has the reputation it used to have.
“If we do that, we’ll be able to get the results we want with the dexterity and back pace we have in the club.”
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