England have got an 'amazing' new coach, says Skivington

GEORGE Skivington says England have secured a world class conditioning coach in Dan Tobin who is leaving Gloucester after eight years to join up with the national side next month.

- PAUL REES

Tobin, right, a former Irish sprinter, was recruited by England after two of their strength and conditioning staff, Aled Walters and Tom Tombleson, departed during the summer.

"Dan has been amazing here," said Skivington, Gloucester's director of rugby. "He is very quick to pick up on things, super intelligent and he is at the top of his game, which is why England poached him.

"I will miss him having become used to his ideas and bouncing stuff off him. He and I are very well aligned. When I wanted to develop the maul and needed a conditioning programme, he came up with loads of ideas.

"People in this game get opportunities and move on. England have gained a special character and they will be in very good hands with Dan. He is world class." Gloucester had to move quickly to replace Tobin and will make an announcement shortly. "We have someone exciting coming in and Dan has helped us in that, but I cannot say who yet," said Skivington.

The Premiership's directors of rugby are still poring over the small print of the agreement with the Rugby Football Union, the Professional Game Partnership, which will run for the next eight years.