George Skivington: Gloucester head coach wants struggling team to 'anchor identity'

Gloucester scored four tries but conceded seven in their sixth-straight Premiership loss last weekend

Gloucester need to "get back to what they're good at", said head coach George Skivington ahead of the start of their Challenge Cup campaign.

The Cherry and Whites have lost their past six Premiership matches, including a heavy 51-26 loss at rivals Bristol on Saturday.

They face Georgian side Black Lion this weekend in their first European game.

"I think we tried to push the programme on over this season," Skivington told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"Evidently what's happened, our attack has started to take shape, we're scoring some good tries, but the stuff that we've been good at for a few years we definitely need to revisit.

"We've had a top four defence for two years and to concede as many tries as we did on the weekend was probably the final nail in the coffin to go, 'We need to get back to what we're good at here.'"

Gloucester, who have prided themselves on their defensive capabilities in the past and the strength of their pack have the second-worst points conceded tally in the Premiership so far.

They sit ninth in the table with 12 points having not won since 20 October against Newcastle Falcons in round two.

"What's really important to us is we anchor back down on our identity and make sure we come out of the next couple of weeks nailed down with exactly who we are because I don't think we've shown that the last couple of weeks," Skivington said.

Chief executive officer Alex Brown put out a club statement on Sunday that urged fans to stick with the club.

"The next few weeks will give us an opportunity to review the start of the season, what's worked, what hasn't, and how we can reignite our Premiership campaign," Brown said.

Skivington said the mood internally at Kingsholm was one of togetherness.

"From my point of view I don't begrudge anyone's opinion, everyone's entitled to their opinion, but my job's just to get on with the job and rally the troops and have good discussions and get better, and that's what we're going to do," Skivington said.

"I think if anyone thinks they're hurting more than I am or the coaches are or the players they'd be mistaken because we don't take it lightly at all, it lives with you all the time.

"But it lives with you all the time when you're winning as well, that's the life you signed up for."

'Good time for team bonding'

Gloucester will spend five days in Georgia - with Black Lion playing in the competition for the first time - which Skivington said has come at a good time for the team.

"There is an element that it's a good time for some of us to spend some time together, get a bit of bonding in," Skivington added.

"We've done a lot of talking since the game on the weekend, but I think when you get away in a hotel it gives you an opportunity to have some one-on-ones, some little group chats, and just some good honesty.

"This group is very honest and the noise around things will always be there but internally it's a very good group for sitting down, having an honest chat, finding solutions [and] working hard."