Gloucester Rugby head coach George Skivington has admitted he is enduring the most challenging period of his decade-long coaching career as the club’s poor form continued with a defeat away to Newcastle Falcons on Friday.

The Cherry and Whites, who narrowly missed out on last season’s Premiership play-offs by just two points, have now lost eight of their nine league matches so far in the 2025-26 campaign, leaving the team struggling in the Premiership standings.

Skivington Admits Personal Toll

Speaking candidly about the difficulties, Skivington said:

“It hurts and it hurts a lot. There is nobody wearing this more than I am right now.”

The Gloucester boss revealed the personal impact of the club’s slump, including a tense conversation with his wife, who told him he is “never at home” and “she doesn’t see him anymore.”

“If anybody thinks I’m driving home, sitting back, enjoying a glass of wine, that is definitely not happening,” he added. “Pro sport is tough, and when it’s good, it’s great, but this is definitely the toughest spell I’ve dealt with.”

Injury Crisis Compounds Challenges

Gloucester’s season has been hampered by a string of injuries to key players. Premiership player of the year Tomos Williams was a late withdrawal for the Newcastle clash, while Ben Loader, Max Llewellyn, Will Joseph, Jack Singleton, and Ben Redshaw have also been sidelined.

In response, Gloucester fielded inexperienced players, including Will Crane, who started at hooker just days after joining from Hartpury, and 18-year-old Will Knight at outside centre, highlighting the club’s depth issues this season.

Recruitment and Future Signings

Chief executive Alex Brown acknowledged in an open letter to supporters that Gloucester’s recruitment last summer left them short of experience in key positions. Despite this, the club has already secured high-profile signings for next season, including former England scrum-half Dan Robson and Wales captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake.

Skivington praised the new recruits:

“These aren’t people who are signing for the club lightly—they’re proper players who want to make a difference. I’m honest with them about where we are this season, the squad’s strengths, and the areas that need improvement.”

Management Changes on the Horizon

The club is reportedly close to appointing a senior management figure above Skivington, a move intended to relieve some of his director of rugby responsibilities and allow him to focus more on coaching.

“Fingers crossed it will be wrapped up fairly soon so we can all focus on what we need to,” said Skivington. “My learning in this process is that you can’t do everything at once—you end up not giving your best in all areas. I felt the pinch last year, and I’m feeling it now.”

Upcoming Fixtures

Gloucester face a challenging schedule in the coming weeks, including a Champions Cup clash against Edinburgh on Friday, a trip to French side Toulon, and a return to domestic Premiership action against Bath at Kingsholm on 23 January.