Northampton Saints have announced that Matt Ferguson will be joining the Club from the 2018/19 season as assistant coach.
The 39-year-old has spent the last 12 months working as a scrum consultant with London Irish where he linked up with new Saints tighthead Ben Franks.
He has also for the last three years headed up the forwards division for the England Women’s team, in which time the side topped the world rankings, reached last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final as well as beating New Zealand on their own soil in Rotorua.
😇 Welcome to Saints, Matt Ferguson
Matt will join the club’s coaching setup ahead of the 2018/19 seasonhttps://t.co/fUc1RPa4uy
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) May 16, 2018
After initially working with the Red Roses’ as a forwards coach from 2009 to 2011, Ferguson moved on to stints in the men’s game at Cardiff Blues, Bristol Rugby and London Welsh before returning to Twickenham in 2015 to sculpt a dominant set piece and driving maul for England’s women.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at London Irish this season and with England Women over the past three years. While I will be sad to leave such great groups of players and management, this is a really exciting opportunity for me to work for one of the biggest clubs in English rugby and learn from one of the most well-respected coaches in the world in Chris Boyd,” said Ferguson.
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“I’m honoured to be given the chance here, and I’m really looking forward to teaming up with such a talented group of players already at Saints.”
Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd added: “Matt showed himself to be the standout candidate during our search. I was not only impressed by his experience but also his superb attitude and meticulous level of preparation – I am sure he will be a great fit here.”
Ferguson’s focus as assistant coach will be on Saints’ scrum, and he will arrive at Franklin’s Gardens in June – in time for the start of Northampton’s preseason training.