Struggling Premiership boss George Skivington lands top England job

Gloucester boss George Skivington has been appointed as the England A head coach ahead of the clash with Portugal next month.

Skivington will head up an all-Premiership line-up of coaching staff, which includes fellow Gloucester coach Dom Waldouck and Northampton Saints’ Sam Vesty.

His appointment comes just days after Gloucester suffered their ninth successive Premiership defeat, falling to a 17-10 loss at the hands of rivals Bath. This is the Cherry and Whites’ worst run of league results in the competition’s history.

England A return

The fixture against Os Lobos marks the end of an eight-year absence for England A, who last featured against South Africa A, claiming a 2-0 series victory in 2016.

The side was formerly known as England Saxons but was renamed three years ago, preceding a later cancelled fixture against Scotland A.

Premiership Rugby and the RFU reintroduced the team this year to ensure more game time for young players and acts as another stepping stone for those men’s players graduating from the England pathway at U20 level to senior rugby.

It also allows players involved in the wider Six Nations squad minutes, with the game against Portugal scheduled to fall on the weekend of Round 3 in the 2024 Guinness Six Nations.

“It’s a massive honour to be asked by Conor (O’Shea) and Steve (Borthwick) to lead the England Men’s A team next month,” Skivington said.

“I recognise the trust they have placed in me with this opportunity, and I look forward to linking up with the coaching group and the squad in February.

“I’m delighted that Dom Waldouck will be joining me as defence coach. His passion for the game and dedication to his craft makes him an exciting young coach who I think will develop to be one of the best in the country.

“The England Men’s A team will serve as a good opportunity for young English players on the cusp of international honours to show what they’re about.”

‘A privilege and an honour’

Attack coach Sam Vesty said: “It’s always a privilege and an honour to be asked to help support England, to wear a Red Rose on your chest and to compete at a high level, so I can’t wait to get started.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to work with some of the best young talent in the country. We’ll be encouraging these players to go out and play what’s in front of them, getting their eyes up and putting their best foot forward – both in terms of playing well in the game against Portugal, but also hopefully progressing on to further honours with England.

“It’s a great learning and development opportunity as well for me to experience a different environment, working with different players and coaches, and I’ll head into camp with a really open mind.”

Skivington is no stranger to the England A environment after captaining the side – during his playing career – on multiple occasions and featuring in the 66-0 win over Portugal in 2009.

The RFU confirmed that the coaching team was chosen in consultation alongside Premiership Rugby, with the selection of the first matchday 23 to be determined by senior men’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, in due course.

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