Gloucester Rugby travel down to Sandy Park on Boxing Day to face Exeter Chiefs in Round Four of the Gallagher Premiership. Ahead of the fixture Head Coach George Skivington faced the media and discussed all things Gloucester Rugby.

On Saturday’s bonus point win

“We obviously had a good start to the game and we were disappointed with that first try, we thought we let them in a little bit too easily but we built a nice lead. When you’re playing quality teams like Ulster you don’t just build a lead and keep a lead because Ulster came back into the game.

“We knew at some point the momentum would shift a little bit. It shifted a bit more than what we would have liked! We’d have liked to have managed that 10 minutes where they were down a couple of men a little bit better but it was through good intentions.

“Like I said before, we’re adjusting how we play slightly so to be fair to the boys they stuck to the plan. Overall, I thought to come back and fight like we did with five minutes to go, being 10 points down, to win the game was outstanding. The bench came on and nailed it home and a couple of young fresh faces delivered at the end.”

Following on from the Ulster win

“It’s massive for your confidence because the boys have done some good stuff. We’ve had some circumstances that have stopped us delivering the game we want to deliver and with a team like Ulster, or anyone in the Premiership really, they’re always going to fight their way back into the game and you’ve got to be ready to take that on and embrace it.”

Traveling to Sandy Park

“We’re preparing for Exeter and we’re looking forward to going down there. We know they’re the best team in Europe. They’re a phenomenal outfit and they just deliver all the time. They’ve got a really comprehensive game plan and once they get in your 22, there aren’t many teams who survive it.

“It’s a really good challenge for us. We know how good their set piece is. Their pick and go, their kicking game, they’re just a great outfit. We’re looking forward to going down there and testing ourselves against the best of the best.”

On Exeter Chiefs' success

“You’ve got to respect Exeter and you’ve got to try and work as hard as they do. They are an extremely tight group who work really hard. They are sort of the blueprint for success because of the way that they’ve built that unity. They are a great club and at the moment they are the ones at the top of the pile.”

A message to the Squad of Thousands

“I hope everyone has a great Christmas. It would have been great to have had a home game but from our point of view it’s business as usual. We’ll enjoy Christmas with our families but we’re certainly looking forward to trying to deliver a performance on Boxing Day for you.”

Press Notes | George Skivington “It’s a really good challenge for us"

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