Building momentum in the Gallagher Premiership's final stretch is proving a unique challenge, according to Gloucester head coach George Skivington. With the league schedule punctuated by frequent breaks, he describes the run-in as "tricky" for teams trying to find their rhythm.

The Premiership resumes this Friday after a three-week hiatus for European competitions. This comes on the heels of an eight-week break for the Six Nations, meaning clubs have played just two domestic matches since January. With six rounds left but eight weeks until the final day on June 6th, two more week-long breaks are still to come.

"It's a really interesting back end to the season," Skivington told BBC Radio Gloucestershire. "We've got games, breaks, games, breaks. It's a tricky one for momentum, and we'll see that in the next couple of weeks." He noted the logistical silver lining, allowing for detailed planning with his staff, but emphasized the unusual stop-start nature of the finale.

Gloucester returns to action with a West Country derby at Bristol Bears, looking to bounce back from a heavy 36-17 defeat to Leicester Tigers in late March. Having been eliminated from the Challenge Cup in January, the Cherry and Whites are the only Premiership side without a competitive match in the past three weeks.

Skivington revealed his squad used the extended period for an intense training block, treating one week like a "pre-season" to build physicality before sharpening their focus for the Bristol clash. With playoff hopes gone, Gloucester's target is now a top-eight finish to secure Champions Cup rugby for next season, adding high stakes to every remaining fixture in this fragmented schedule.