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Gloucester boss warns young No10 ahead of clash with 'best of the best' Springbok
By Chris Jones
Gloucester boss George Skivington has rated Handre Pollard as the best No10 in the world and warned young fly-half George Barton that he faces the ultimate test against Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm on Saturday.
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Former England U20 international Barton has been filling the void created by the knee injury suffered by Adam Hastings, the Scotland fly-half, who is still five weeks away from returning for his club.
The 23-year-old has held onto the No10 jersey despite the return of the versatile Santiago Carreras after he helped Argentina to finish fourth at the recent Rugby World Cup. Carreras has been operating at full-back for Gloucester, including their heartbreaking 24-25 loss to Exeter where they led 24-15 with four minutes remaining.
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That was Gloucester’s fourth successive Premiership loss and ahead of this weekend’s Kingsholm fixture versus Leicester, Skivington said: “Handre Pollard is arguably the best No10 in the world. His moments in the Rugby World Cup were phenomenal and we know that is the challenge coming on Saturday.
“It is exciting for George because he gets to go up against the best of the best. You have to be realistic and Pollard is an amazing operator with his skill set and physicality as a No10.
“Pollard’s all-round game is very impressive and from George’s point of view he is about to go up against the best and there is no better way to learn.
“George did well managing that game at Exeter and pulled the trigger on a number of plays at the right time. His shot selection was right and there was loads of good stuff.
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“There were also harsh lessons for some young lads at crunch moments and Exeter were always going to gamble with the scrum and a charge down. Tough learnings, but ultimately I was proud of the lads although we were gutted the way it ended. If we had been a bit more composed we would have won that game.
“As a few more lads trickle back we will get stronger and to score four tries at Exeter and keep them to three was a good reflection on both our attack and defence.
“All the big names are back for Leicester and they are a different beast with a couple of World Cup winners and they are not a team to take lightly. It is the Slater Cup and Ed will be at the game with both sides having emotional connections and we will be fired up.”
Skivington acknowledged he is missing experience at half-back due to injury which saw him bring in Micky Young, the ex-Newcastle, Bath and Leicester scrum-half, on a short-term deal.
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“We know we have young half-backs and we saw in the final minutes at Exeter that managing a Premiership game is tough. Micky has come in and his experience and composure are what we need. Just having him around the environment helps the young lads.”
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