Wikipedia

George Skivington

George Skivington (born 3 December 1982) is an English professional rugby union coach and former player. He is the current head coach of Premiership Rugby side Gloucester.

George Skivington
Birth nameGeorge Skivington
Date of birth (1982-12-03) 3 December 1982 (age 42)
Place of birthWarrington, England
Height2.0 m (6 ft 6+1⁄2 in)
Weight110 kg (17 st 5 lb)
SchoolThe John Fisher School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
– Saracens Academy ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Saracens ()
2003–2010 London Wasps 124 (40)
2010–2012 Leicester Tigers 50 (10)
2012–2016 London Irish 62 (25)
Correct as of 17 September 2015
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2010 England Saxons
Coaching career
Years Team
2016–2020 London Irish (forwards coach)
2019 Samoa (assistant coach)
2020–2023 Gloucester (head coach)
2023– Gloucester (director of rugby)
2024 England A (head coach)

Early life and education

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Skivington was born in Warrington, Cheshire.[1]

Skivington played junior rugby at London Irish.[2] He attended Wimbledon College and then moved to John Fisher School in Purley (also attended by fellow Ex-Wasp and England winger Paul Sackey and Scotland prop Kyle Traynor.) before joining the Saracens Academy.[1]

Playing career

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Skivington played for Saracens, London Wasps (a successful period for the club, including being coached by Warren Gatland[3]), Leicester Tigers, London Irish and England Saxons. His position was lock. He captained both London Irish and England Saxons.

Club career

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Skivington joined London Wasps in 2001, In 2008 he signed a contract keeping him at the club until 2010.[4]

On 14 April 2010, it was announced that Skivington would be moving away from Wycombe to join Premiership rivals Leicester Tigers at the end of the season. His final game for Leicester was the Premiership final at Twickenham against Harlequins.[5]

On 23 January 2012, it was announced that Skivington would be joining London Irish from the start of the 2012/2013 season.[6] He played 62 times for London Irish, and captained them,[7] before retiring in June 2016 (age 33) due to an ongoing shoulder injury.[2][8]

International career

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Skivington was called into the England Saxons side that defeated Ireland A on 1 February 2008.[9][10] He later represented England Saxons at the 2008 Churchill Cup.[11] On 28 January 2010 he was named captain of the England Saxons side to play Ireland A at Bath's Recreation Ground on Sunday 31 January. He led his team to a 17–13 victory,[12] and again against Italy A.[13] Skivington also lead the Saxons throughout their victorious Churchill Cup campaign in summer 2010.[14]

Skivington was called up to England's 2011 Six Nations Championship squad on 24 January 2011 as injury cover for Courtney Lawes.[15]

Coaching career

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Ealing Trailfinders

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Whilst still playing, Skivington acted as assistant coach at Ealing Trailfinders from 2014 – 2016. Helping Ealing gain promotion from National 1 League in 2014/15 and a successful campaign in the championship in 2015/16.

London Irish

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After his playing retirement from London Irish, Skivington was immediately appointed as Forwards Coach.[7]

Samoa

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Skivington was also an assistant coach for Samoa in 2015 for their historic game against the All Blacks in Apia, Samoa on 8 July 2015 where they lost 25–16. Skivington was then part of the Samoan coaching team for the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup and the 2015 World Cup in England.

Gloucester

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In June 2020, Skivington was announced as the new head coach of Gloucester Rugby after the departure of both head coach Johan Ackermann and director of rugby David Humphreys.[16] London Irish have announced publicly they believe the appointment breached protocol.[17] The claim has been denied by Gloucester.[18]

England A

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Coaching characteristics

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Skivington has highlighted the importance of player character and overall group contribution,[19] communication[20] and the value of squad competition for places.[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b "George Skivington extends contract with London Irish".
  2. ^ a b "George Skivington: London Irish club captain agrees new contract". BBC. 17 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Wasps Unforgettables". wasps.co.uk.
  4. ^ "Skivington signs new deal". Sportinglife. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  5. ^ Skivington, George. "Big Match Preparations". Living Rugby. Archived from the original on 23 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Skivington to join Exiles next season". london-irish.com. 23 January 2012. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  7. ^ a b "George Skivington". London Irish.
  8. ^ Rudd, Lewis (22 June 2016). "London Irish lock George Skivington forced to retire due to shoulder injury".
  9. ^ "England Saxons squad for Ireland A match". Rugby Football Union. 23 January 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  10. ^ "Varndell shines in Saxons victory". BBC. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  11. ^ "Saxons clinch Churchill Cup glory". ESPN Scrum. 21 June 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  12. ^ "England Saxons beat Ireland A 17–13 at The Rec". ESPN Scrum. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  13. ^ "Saxons too good for Italy 'A'". Scrum.com. 7 February 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  14. ^ "England captures Churchill Cup with win over Canada". Ottawa Citizen. 20 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010. [dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Wood and Dowson among four call-ups for England". BBC Sport. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  16. ^ "Gloucester Rugby announce the appointment of George Skivington as Head Coach". Gloucester Rugby. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  17. ^ "London Irish to 'consider all options' regarding Gloucester approach to Skivington | 27 June 2020 | News". London Irish. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  18. ^ "Gloucester Rugby Statement". Gloucester Rugby. 28 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  19. ^ "Sean O'Brien can take the Premiership by storm, says London Irish coach". 19 March 2020.
  20. ^ "RuggaMatrix America Coach Talk: George Skivington". Goff Rugby Report. 26 March 2020.
  21. ^ "George Skivington hails Curtis Rona and Adam Coleman impact at London Irish". Bracknell News. 17 February 2020.
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