Gloucester 20-38 Leicester: Another defeat for the hosts adds to the worrying times for the second-last Cherry and Whites, with head coach George Skivington in trouble

• Second from bottom Gloucester suffered another defeat to Leicester Tigers
• George Skivington, the head coach of the Cherry and Whites, is in trouble
• Handre Polland’s kicking has aided South Africa, and now Dan McKellar’s Tigers

The sight of Ed Slater, who continues to heroically battle motor neurone disease, at the full-time whistle here put another Gloucester defeat and their ongoing struggles into perspective. 

But the truth is these are worrying times for the Cherry and Whites. Their head coach George Skivington is in trouble with his team only above lowly Newcastle. Gloucester finished second bottom last season too and have just two league wins this season. They have won only six of their last 22 Premiership matches. 

Kingsholm is usually a fortress packed with fanatical home fans. 

But the pre-match atmosphere before this must-win game with Leicester – not going great guns themselves – was flat. It was reflective of the fans’ views of Gloucester’s recent form.

‘That’s five in a row now,’ Skivington said of his team’s winless streak. 

Gloucester’s head coach George Skivington is in trouble as his team sit second from bottom

The appearance of MND fighter Ed Slater (middle) put Gloucester’s struggles into perspective

‘We need to get ourselves out of it quickly. Leicester’s kicking game is the best in the league. Their big players delivered. 

MATCH STATS 

Scorers

Gloucester

Tries: McGuigan, Ford-Robinson

Cons: Barton (2)

Pens: Barton (2)

 

Leicester Tigers

Tries: Hassell-Collins (2), Montoya, Kata

Cons: Pollard (3)

Pens: Pollard (4)

 

Referee: Tom Foley (RFU)

Attendance: 12,813

Star man: Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)

‘What they did was pretty simple but effective. We are all feeling sorry for ourselves but Ed is still there smiling and it puts things into perspective. 

‘We’re gutted about rugby but Ed standing there at the end gives us all something to think about.’ 

Former lock Slater, who played for both these teams before his cruel diagnosis forced him into retirement, presented the cup named in his honour to Leicester. 

Dan McKellar’s Tigers deserved to win and they were gifted a four-try bonus point at the end when rookie Gloucester No 10 George Barton tried to chip clear on his own line. 

It didn’t work and Solomone Kata pounced to put the icing on the cake of Leicester’s afternoon. 

‘The last fortnight has been pleasing. We are starting to see growth and development in the areas we have worked on,’ said Leicester head coach McKellar. 

Louis Rees-Zammit was watched by his new influencer girlfriend Saffron Barker but, much like his team-mates, the Gloucester and Wales wing had a quiet afternoon. 

Rees-Zammit is out of contract at the end of the season and French clubs Montpellier, Bordeaux and Toulon are all circling. Gloucester’s poor form will hardly encourage him to stay. 

It is understood many at Kingsholm are already resigned to their star wing leaving. 

The first half was awful. Barton missed three kicks at goal in the opening 40 which ended with Leicester 14-6 to the good. Barton was also caught in possession, allowing his opposite number Handre Pollard to boot a penalty before Ollie Hassell-Collins scored in the corner. 

Gloucester gave themselves hope when the game resumed when George McGuigan rumbled over. Barton this time nailed the touchline conversion. 

Leicester and England lock Ollie Chessum was yellow carded for having his hands in the face of Gloucester lock Freddie Clarke at the maul and was yellow carded. 

But then Barton collided high with Pollard and evened up the numbers with a trip to the sin bin. Pollard seemed to milk the collision but his kicking from the tee – which won South Africa a second straight World Cup – is simply brilliant.

Dan McKellar’s Leicester Tigers deserved to win, and were gifted a bonus point at the end

Handre Pollard’s brilliant kicking from the tee helped South Africa, and now Leicester Tigers

‘He is in a rare patch of form off the tee. South Africa benefited from that and we are starting to do the same,’ McKellar said of Pollard.

‘His composure and ability to execute under pressure is why he is world class.’ 

Julian Montoya scored Leicester’s second and then Jack Clement’s yellow saw Gloucester go down to 13. Rees-Zammit’s frustration was summed up when he kicked out on the full. 

Hassell-Collins made it a brace and although Jamal Ford-Robinson responded, the boot of Pollard and Kata’s late gift-wrapped effort saw the Tigers take home five points. 

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