Lions turn to Muir

South Africa assistant coach Dick Muir has agreed to become the new director of rugby at the Golden Lions.

South Africa assistant coach appointed director of rugby

South Africa assistant coach Dick Muir has agreed to become the new director of rugby at the Golden Lions. Muir, who guided the Sharks to the 2007 Super 14 final, saw off competition from former Bulls and Leicester boss Heyneke Meyer and Western Province coach Allister Coetzee for the position. And the Lions have no doubt that Muir, who will remain part of Peter de Villiers' backroom staff with the Springboks, can revive the fortunes of the franchise. "We are honoured to have a coach of Muir's knowledge, experience and calibre joining the Golden Lions Rugby Union," said chief executive Manie Reyneke. "We are very fortunate with the quality of applications we received, each of which had their own dynamic expertise and passion for the game of rugby, but at the end of the day, the board felt that Muir emerged as the candidate best suited to coaching the team. "We've seen some big changes at the Union over the past year, and we are convinced that with the appointment of Muir this is just one more change and step in the right direction."