Exeter revival shows what's possible - Skivington

Exeter's transformation from a struggling side near the bottom of the table last season to play-off contenders this term is something Gloucester can learn from, believes head coach George Skivington.

The Chiefs travel to Kingsholm on Sunday looking for a win to further strengthen their grip on fourth in the table, having suffered a record 79-17 loss in the same fixture almost a year ago while enduring their worst campaign in the top flight since 2010.

Gloucester go into the game under similar circumstances to Exeter 12 months ago, sitting eighth in the table with just two league wins all season.

"Their season last year was pretty much our season this year," Skivington told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"What they've done well and what Rob's [Baxter director of rugby] done well is anchored back down into what their DNA is."

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Gloucester's 13-try thrashing of Exeter in May last year was the Chiefs' biggest loss ever in the Prem and led to coaching changes which included Baxter returning to a direct coaching role.

The Cherry and Whites have similarly restructured their leadership team over the past few months, bringing in former Northampton director of rugby Chris Boyd above Skivington.

Further coaching changes have also been confirmed for 2026-27 in recent days, with Brett Deacon and Joel Tompkins joining the staff, Trevor Woodman leaving and Dom Waldouck moving into a newly created academy role.

Skivington said they have been trying to do similar soul-searching at Gloucester as Exeter did over the summer.

"You've got to know what you stand for and we've been very honest in the building. We've probably tried to continue on from last year and for whatever reason we haven't delivered that and we're all having very good, strong conversations about what we are, who we are and what we should be going after," Skivington said.