George Skivington insists he wants Welsh rugby to get back on its feet as soon as possible – despite his cross-border raid to sign Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake for Gloucester.

The departure of Wales’ co-captains from Ospreys is another hammer blow for a Welsh game bracing itself for the loss of a region under Welsh Rugby Union streamlining plans.

But with Gloucester facing an important loss of their own, with captain Tomos Williams leaving the club at the end of the season, their director of rugby has no qualms about playing the vulture.

“I don’t think there’s any guilt, because I don’t think the team that are taking Tommy feel any guilt towards us,” said Skivington.

“What I do feel, and I believe everybody in the rugby community wants, is to see Welsh rugby thrive.

“There’s a brilliant history of rugby in Wales and the Principality Stadium is absolutely awesome on international days.

“I remember days in the Heineken Cup where the Welsh teams were ferocious and it was a real tough day to go down there and play. So I think everybody wants Welsh rugby to get aligned and push on.”