Northampton Saints appoint former Saracens director Alan Gaffney

Northampton Saints have appointed Alan Gaffney as the club’s technical coaching consultant until the end of the season.

The 70-year-old, who has previously worked for Ireland, Australia and Saracens, will begin working at Franklin's Gardens on January 1.

Gaffney also spent three years as Munster head coach after taking charge in 2002, before becoming assistant coach for Australia and was later given the role of director of rugby at Saracens, a post he held until 2008.

At Saints, Gaffney will oversee the existing coaching team of Alan Dickens, Dorian West, Phil Dowson and Mark Hopley.

Northampton, who sacked Jim Mallinder as director of rugby earlier this month, have struggled for form this season and sit 10th in the Aviva Premiership, having lost their last six matches in all competitions.

In a statement on the club's official website, Gaffney said: "I am really excited about the challenge ahead.

"Any coach would jump at the chance to work with the calibre of players Saints have.

"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' CEO Mark Darbon said: "We are delighted to have recruited Alan as our technical coaching consultant until the end of the season.

"Alan is hugely experienced and admired throughout the game for being a forward thinking, innovative rugby coach.

"His CV speaks for itself; he has been successful with some of the best teams in the world - including winning a Six Nations Grand Slam and Heineken Cup - and has a clear understanding of how to set-up an effective all-around rugby team.

"He also has a proven track record of developing some of the world's best coaches and players."