Louis Rees-Zammit's Gloucester boss believes the Wales try wonder is better off staying in the English Premiership rather than playing for a Welsh region.
George Skivington made his views known amid Rees-Zammit bouncing back from his shock Wales Six Nations axe with a wonder try to inspire the Cherry and Whites' victory over Northampton on Saturday.
Skivington says Rees-Zammit has 'a point to prove' and has knuckled down after being left out of Wales' team for the Twickenham defeat to England.
Wayne Pivac preferred Alex Cuthbert to Welsh rugby's hottest property and is likely to stick with the veteran wing as Josh Adams' partner for Friday night's Cardiff showdown with Grand Slam chasing France.
While trying to explain his Rees-Zammit decision, Pivac stated his desire for Wales players to be based with one of the four regions to enable better preparation for Test matches. You can read about that here.
But Skivington is adamant playing in what he dubs the best league in the world benefits Rees-Zammit, and also Wales, because of the more battle-hardened experience he gets week in, week out.
"Wayne is not the first coach to say he wants his players in Wales," Skivington is quoted as saying in The Rugby Paper.
"It's not my debate, to be honest. I'm happy he's here. He's happy playing for Gloucester and is one of the privileged few who gets the best of the two worlds.
"He gets to play for his country and gets to play in what I believe is most competitive league.
"My view is that it's good for him playing in the Premiership because it's tough every week. It's really sharp, very pressurised situations the whole time.
"My view would be that if you're playing the best rugby you can play, it benefits everybody."
Of Pivac wanting Rees-Zammit in Welsh rugby, Skivington continued: "I understand why, particularly in a week like this when there is a short turnaround going into an international game. That makes his preparation a bit more tricky.
"It's always going to depend on which side of the fence - or which side of the Bridge - you're sitting on."
Skivington was responding after Pivac had been asked if he wanted stars like Rees-Zammit and Callum Sheedy to be based in Wales and replied: "Definitely."
Pivac went on: "It’s certainly the ideal situation to have your whole squad for the whole tournament. But we realise that’s not always the case and we know that from selecting the squad at the start of the competition. We factor those things in.
"We just work with the players we’ve got. Training alters a little bit because you don’t have the same personnel, but certainly selection is going on form.
"Those who are in for a full training week ahead of the Test match are available."
Cuthbert played well in the defeat to England, but many Wales fans want Rees-Zammit back in the team given his flair and ability to conjure up a try from nothing - as proven at the weekend.
Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones was heavily critical of Pivac's decision to axe one of his star men and stated it indicated Wales becoming more and more negative under his watch. It is a decision that 'makes no sense', according to top pundit Gwyn.
READ MORE: Gwyn's column in full
Skivington said Rees-Zammit had knuckled down after the Wales jolt, taken on board what Pivac told him and is looking to bounce back.
After the wing ace returned to Gloucester's team in sizzling try-scoring fashion, Skivington said: "He has been very, very on it these last two weeks, and I think it will be brilliant for him, going forward, if I am honest.
“He has had a disappointing couple of weeks from his point of view – he wants to prove a point, and we back him. He scored a special try at Newcastle, and he’s done it at Kingsholm, too.
"He is so gifted, and he works really hard to get there. He is special in terms of what he can do.
“When you get whacked suddenly – England-Wales, and you don’t get to play in that – it’s a real test of how you are going to respond.
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“Fair play to him, he has come straight back in and said what does he need to do to play well for Gloucester, and he’s obviously spoken to Wayne and got his bits off Wayne.
"He has been very, very on it these last two weeks, and I think it will be brilliant for him, going forward, if I am honest.
“It’s a bit of pain in the short term, but he understands these things are going to happen and it’s how you bounce back.
"He was very disappointed. From his point of view it was his first proper setback.
"He's digested why it happened, loves playing for Gloucester and just wants to rip into it. He knows if he plays well here he'll be back in the Wales fold."
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