'He gets who we are' - Ian Costello excited about what Chris Boyd will bring to Munster

Munster's interim head coach Ian Costello believes Chris Boyd is the perfect fit for the province, ahead of the experienced New Zealander’s arrival this week.

The 66-year-old former Northampton Saints director of rugby will link up with Munster as a performance consultant, as they look to bolster their coaching team for the remainder of the season, while the search goes on to find a new permanent head coach.

Costello is filling in as interim head coach since the shock departure of Graham Rowntree in last October, and combining the job with his regular role, head of rugby operations.

Boyd, who previously won a Super Rugby title at the Hurricanes before becoming director of rugby at Northampton in 2018, will arrive in Limerick this week and remain in place at least until the Six Nations break, during which time Munster will face his old Saints team in the Investec Champions Cup.

"There’s a wider search going on around head coach, and while we take our time and get that right, we looked to see if there were any more solutions we need in terms of support," Costello said about recruiting the experienced Kiwi.

"Someone like Chris, his reputation precedes him. I know him from working in England, I worked with Wasps when he worked at Northampton, and we crossed over quite a bit. I also spent a week at the Hurricanes when he was head coach.

"[He will work] On two fronts; one, his philosophy around rugby, his knowledge and experience around the coaching craft, as well as his character – he’s a really, really good bloke.

"He gets who we are and what we’re about. I had a couple of conversations with him in the last week and I think it’s a really good fit for that level of support he will be able to give us."

Boyd was a hugely popular figure