We must promote game - Skivington

GEORGE Skivington has called for the game in England to put its best face, and voice, forward and sell itself after the calamity of last season when three Premiership clubs folded.

- PAUL REES

Gloucester's director of rugby has echoed his former team-mate Danny Cipriani's call for the game to embrace talent, charisma and those who do not meekly obey orders.

"We have to be real," said Skivington, who was last week promoted having been head coach since his arrival at Kingsholm in the summer of 2020. "We have a great game and the Premiership is the most exciting league going, full of tries and drama.

"We have to promote it in the right way. Times have moved on from the old school days and it is no longer about having a stiff upper lip. We need people to run with it and let the characters come through.

"We all have a responsibility to be ourselves and be honest with how the game is going, or not, and ask how we are going to grow it. There is a good energy around that and we need a few to lead the charge for sure."

Skivington played alongside Cipriani, below, at Wasps and then coached him at Gloucester. The outside-half's autobiography is published this month and in it he reveals his frustration at how he sees coaching stifling talent and initiative in the name of conformity.