Gloucester coach George Skeffington is suffering the pain of a decline in form

Under pressure George Skeffington says he is enduring the toughest period of his decade-long coaching career after Gloucester’s miserable form continued with defeat away to Newcastle Red Bulls on Friday.

The Cherry and White, who missed the playoffs by two points last season, have lost eight of their nine Prem matches so far this season.

The club is close to appointing a new figure above Skeffington to ease the Director of Rugby’s responsibilities and allow him to focus more on day-to-day coaching.

“It hurts and it hurts a lot,” Skeffington said about his team’s performance.

“I don’t feel any animosity towards anyone who isn’t my biggest fan at the moment – ​​I do understand that, I support the teams, it’s a sport.

“But I think if you really step back and look at what we’re dealing with, it’s going to be tough.

“No one wears this more than I do.”

To underscore the point, Skeffington revealed a recent conversation he had with his wife that “wasn’t very pleasant.”

He said she told him he was “never home” and that she “didn’t see him anymore.”

“This is what it is now,” he added. “So, if anyone thinks I’m driving home and sitting down and enjoying a glass of wine, that’s definitely not happening.

“Professional sport is tough, and when it’s good, it’s great, but this is definitely the toughest period I’ve ever dealt with.

“There’s not a lot of happiness for us now and I appreciate the fans and what they think, but things will get better.”

Gloucester suffered a host of injuries. Tomos Williams, last year’s Premier League Player of the Year, has withdrawn from the starting line-up to face Newcastle, while Ben Loader, Max Llewellyn, Will Joseph, Jack Singleton and Ben Redshaw are also absent.

Will Crean has started as a hooker at Kingston Park having joined from Hartpury just a few days ago, while 18-year-old Will Knight has featured in the past three rounds of league action.