George Skivington knows Gloucester have ‘another level’ to reach after big win

George Skivington believes Gloucester are capable of winning the Gallagher Premiership after they continued their resurgence with a thrilling 38-31 victory over Leicester.

Gloucester moved into the title play-off places, and they did it in style, scoring five tries through another exhibition of their box-office attacking game.

It continues an impressive transformation from last season, when Gloucester finished ninth in the league and claimed just five Premiership wins.

“We have got to be real about the challenge, but with the rugby we are putting on the field we are capable of winning the Premiership,” Gloucester rugby director Skivington told TNT Sports.

Leicester, humiliated by Champions Cup opponents Toulouse through an 80-12 defeat in France six days ago, played their part during a game of nine tries and countless attacking opportunities.

But they were undone by a rampant third-quarter performance that saw Gloucester score 21 unanswered points.

Santi Carreras collected 18 points, including a try, while there were also touchdowns for scrum-half Tomos Williams, centre Chris Harris, hooker Seb Blake and flanker Jack Clement as Gloucester triumphed.

Skivington added: “It feels like a very big win. Winning this game was crucial for us, going into the second half of the season in a good position in the league.

“At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t too focused on where we were going to finish. The most important thing was that we reshaped ourselves the way we played.

“I am obviously pleased we are in the top four – it’s where you want to be – but I think we have still got another level in our game. I thought we left a lot out there today, to be honest with you.

“Are we happy we are in the top four? Absolutely. But I think the excitement, more, is around the way we are playing. This young crew we have developed, I couldn’t he happier with them. These guys are here to do something.

“There is a confidence in what we do. We have got more experience than a couple of years ago, there is a lot of self-belief.

“We are going to keep going hard, we are going to keep pushing the way we play, we are not going to change anything. I still think there are areas we can improve, and that’s the exciting bit for us.”

Leicester were in charge until Gloucester’s spectacular recovery, forging a healthy lead through tries from debutant wing Adam Radwan, full-back Mike Brown, centre Izaia Perese and lock Harry Wells, with fly-half Handre Pollard kicking four conversions and a penalty.

Tigers head coach Michael Cheika said: “I thought we deserved more than we got out of that game.

“The scrum penalty in the corner, I am not sure why we are penalised there. And it went from there – maybe somebody said something, I am not sure – but it went against us from there and went against us hard.

“We weren’t able to get any territory because we were continually being penalised.”

New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe – he will referee England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin next Saturday – took charge of the Kingsholm contest.

“I am not going to have a go at anyone, but I am not sure why they are bringing in the international referees this weekend,” Cheika added.

“I didn’t like it from the start when they said it was happening. It is clear there is a difference in interpretation in how the ball is played on the ground.

“We got affected by the penalty flow, and we have got to be better to resist those moments when they come, even if they are numerous.”