The Cherry & Whites are back on the road this weekend, with a top-four clash with Northampton Saints at cinch Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach, George Skivington, knows his team will have to be well-prepared to face one of the most dangerous sides in the league.

“They’re the best attacking team in the league and they score a lot of tries.

“We have played them once already this year so we know how dangerous they are, so we have to do lots of prep and get physically and mentally ready for a tough evening.”

Skivington says the Cherry & Whites always look forward to playing at Franklin's Gardens.

“It’s a great stadium and a great surface and the boys like playing there. They get a good crowd too, so these are the places that players enjoy going to. The boys are excited for Saturday.”

Gloucester Rugby claimed a 34-19 win over Saints at Kingsholm in December, but Skivington says it won’t have any effect on events this weekend.

“It was a long while ago now, both teams did some good stuff but there’s been a lot of rugby played since then and I don’t think that game will have too much bearing on this weekend.”

With Northampton sitting just one point above the Cherry & Whites in the Gallagher Premiership table, it’s a good opportunity for Skivington’s side to make progress towards securing their top-four spot, but he says they aren’t getting distracted by the table.

“It’s not something we’re talking about as a group, everyone knows how tight it is but our focus point is on improving the areas of the game we are looking at, maintaining the areas where we have been good and hopefully that will lead to the result on Saturday.”

The Cherry & Whites defeated Harlequins 28-26 at a sold-out Kingsholm last weekend, Skivington was pleased his side came away with five points, but conceded there were some areas of the game that still need work.

“it was very pleasing. We haven’t won too many games against Quins for a while, so it was important that we beat them and there were some really good moments in the game.

“There was still plenty to work on in the game but overall, there was some really good commitment and getting the result was important.”

The Head Coach was full of praise for the Gloucester Rugby fans, who had filled Kingsholm for another special Premiership win under the lights.

“It was awesome. The atmosphere was electric and it was a brilliant evening. The supporters were outstanding and the noise when we scored or put in a big hit was brilliant.

“We get excited to play at Kingsholm and we were really excited all of last week for Friday night. But every time we turn up the support blows us away.

“The passion and positivity around the place was brilliant and we’ll always work hard to give our best for those fans.”

Saturday’s match kicks off at 2:45pm at cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens and tickets can be purchased here.

If you’re not making the journey to Northampton, there is rugby being played at Kingsholm on Saturday, with undefeated Gloucester-Hartpury hosting reigning Premier 15s champions Saracens. Tickets for that game can be purchased here.

Skivington says prep key for physically and mentally tough Saints trip

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