Munster have added to their coaching ticket, with the appointment of experienced New Zealander Chris Boyd, who joins as a Performance Consultant.
The 66-year-old will work with the province over the coming months, where he will provide support for interim head coach Ian Costello.
Boyd previously served as director of rugby at Northampton Saints between 2018 and 2022, while he was also head coach at Super Rugby's Hurricanes between 2015 and 2018, where he led the Wellington franchise to a championship title.
"We are fortunate to have an outstanding coaching group and support team in Munster. To be able to add someone of Chris’ experience and standing to that group is very exciting," Costello said.
Boyd will work alongside Costello in the coming months, with Munster still on the hunt for a new permanent head coach following the departure of Graham Rowntree in late October.
His appointment – albeit on a short-term deal – provides a bit more stability to the province, following the contract renewals of attack coach Mike Prendergast and defence coach Denis Leamy last week.
Additionally, the province also recruited Ireland women’s forwards coach Alex Codling, who will provide support to the coaching staff following the departure of Andi Kyriacou two weeks ago.
Boyd took over ad DOR at the Saints the 2018 after the departure of another ex-Munster coach, Alan Gaffney, and improved Northampton from ninth to fourth in the Premiership in his first season in charge, while they also finished fifth in 2021 and fourth again in 2022, before continuing to work as an advisor with the Premiership side until 2023.
The Kiwi looks like being a good fit for Munster’s gameplan under attack coach Prendergast, with his Northampton side known for playing an expansive brand of rugby, while he was also widely credited for building the platform which ultimately led to the English side winning the Premiership under Phil Dowson in 2024.
Munster get their Investec Champions Cup campaign under way against Stade Francais this Saturday, while the province will also face Boyd's former side Northampton in the pool stage next month.
