Northampton Saints confirm Chris Boyd as new director of rugby

Northampton Saints have confirmed Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd as the new director of rugby of the Aviva Premiership club.

The 59-year-old has penned a three-year deal with the Franklin's Gardens outfit and will join them at the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season.

Boyd has worked as an assistant coach with Wellington and Sharks and also has the experience of coaching New Zealand Under 20 team in 2012. He took in charge of Hurricanes in 2015 and in his second season he led them to a maiden Super Rugby title win.

“We are absolutely delighted Chris has accepted our offer to join the club,” said Saints chief executive Mark Darbon.

“The club conducted an extensive search and Chris stood out as the exceptional candidate.

“We said at the start of the process that we were looking for a world-class director of rugby, and we’ve secured one of the very best.

“Chris’ CV speaks for itself. His achievements in Super Rugby are notable and his experience with the New Zealand age group sides is impressive.

“His track record of building a championship-winning side with a mix of experienced and young players was exactly what we were looking for.

“His teams play attacking rugby and Chris is well known as a deep thinker with an immense rugby brain who communicates well with his players. We look forward to him taking charge later this year.”

Boyd, who also worked as an assistant coach with Tonga during the 2011 World Cup is looking forward to the new challenge.

“I am humbled and excited to be joining Saints,” he said. “Northampton Saints is a club I have admired all of my coaching career.

“I visited Franklin’s Gardens for a week in 2004 when Wayne Smith was head coach, and remember the passion of the Saints supporters and the strong culture at the club.

“Franklin’s Gardens is an excellent stadium with first-class facilities, and when John White and Mark Darbon outlined the vision for Saints, it was a project I very much wanted to be part of.

“The club’s ambitions match my own. I am confident I can help the Saints become one of the biggest and best teams in Europe.

“I have always aspired to coach in the Aviva Premiership and I am relishing the opportunity to work with this talented squad of players.”

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