Chris Boyd, Northampton Saints director for rugby, will be leaving the Premiership club at end of season.
Boyd, who assumed the helm in 2018, would like to return to New Zealand.
He was instrumental in leading Saints to victory during the 2019 Premiership Rugby Cup. They also reached the league play off semi-finals the following year.
They are currently in fifth place in the Premiership, and have lost both their European Champions Cup matches so far.
Boyd arrived from New Zealand with the Hurricanes and joined Northampton. He led them to the Super Rugby title.
Initially, he signed an initial three-year contract with Franklin’s Gardens. agreed a new deal in November 2020He will continue to play until the 2021-22 season. It is possible that he could still remain connected with the club as an advisor.
The club’s board is now going to decide whether or not to promote Sam Vesty and Phil Dowson as assistant coaches. This decision is expected to take place later in this week.
Saints reached the play-offs in 2019, but lost to Exeter in 2019. They have been eighth and fifth in both of their previous Premiership campaigns.