Northampton Saints have appointed Australian coach Alan Gaffney as a technical coaching consultant until the end of the season.
Alan Dickens had been in temporary charge of the club following Jim Mallinder’s sacking as director of rugby earlier this month, but Gaffney will now take the reins from Jan. 1.
He will work alongside acting head coach Alan Dickens, forwards coach Dorian West, defence coach Phil Dowson and assistant coach Mark Hopley.
“I am really excited about the challenge ahead,” former Saracens director of rugby Gaffney said.
“Any coach would jump at the chance to work with the calibre of players Saints have,” he added.
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“The squad have shown what they’re capable of earlier in the season but, for whatever reason, they have not been able to perform at that level consistently.”
Saints travel to Twickenham on Saturday to face Harlequins in the Premiership, but Gaffney will officially start in the role on New Year’s Day.