Mitchell giving 'clarity' to Gloucester - Waldouck

Dom Waldouck has been Gloucester's defence coach since 2020

Gloucester defence coach Dom Waldouck says it has already proved "encouraging" to have World Cup-winning England head coach John Mitchell with the club.

Mitchell, who was named World Rugby's coach of the year after guiding the Red Roses to World Cup glory in September, is spending November with the Cherry and Whites in a non-paid consulting role with the aim of supporting their "defensive development".

Gloucester are ninth in the Prem table and without a win from their opening five league matches this season, having conceded 190 points.

Mitchell has already spent one session with the backroom staff at Kingsholm and Waldouck said he has been "really helpful".

"In terms of giving clarity around what we were doing and reinforcing a lot of stuff that we are doing - and it is the right stuff to be doing - and just generally offering tips on, 'have you thought about this, have you thought about that'," Waldouck told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"Overall it's been encouraging, the process we're already doing saying, you're on the right path here."

Former Newcastle centre Waldouck has worked as Gloucester's defence coach since 2020 under director of rugby George Skivington.

The 38-year-old said he is "thriving" by learning from Mitchell, who has also spent time in charge of New Zealand's All Blacks, twice worked with England men, and coached in Japan, the United States and South Africa.

"The wisdom and experience and success he's had in his coaching career, he can't help but benefit our coaching group and the performance of the team," Waldouck said.

Gloucester host Bath on Friday in the Prem Rugby Cup and are currently top of pool A after winning two of their three matches in the competition.

They return to league action on Saturday, 29 November at home to Harlequins.

While Mitchell's role is primarily to support the coaching staff, Waldouck has encouraged players to make the most of his expertise.

"I said to the players the other day, pick his brains about things," he added.

"He's had such a decorated career both as a coach and as a player, have a word and speak to him about your experiences in the game and learn. "

"Directly it will be for the coaches but indirectly he will benefit the players as well."