Gloucester Rugby CEO Alex Brown hails PREM club's 'stellar' new technical director Chris Boyd, who joins along with Rob Burgess
Updated 02/03/2026 at 10:18 GMT
Gloucester Rugby have added Chris Boyd and Rob Burgess to their coaching room. Boyd comes in as technical director, while Burgess joins as general manager. Alex Brown, the club's chief executive officer, called the appointment of Boyd as "stellar", and he hopes that they will work together so the "coaches can coach and can deliver on-field success".
Gloucester announce Boyd, Burgess appointments
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Gloucester Rugby's chief executive officer Alex Brown has hailed the Gallagher PREM club's new additions to the club's coaching room following the appointments of Chris Boyd and Rob Burgess.
The club announced on Monday that Boyd had been hired as technical director, while Burgess has been appointed as general manager, described by Brown as "two outstanding additions to our rugby structure".
Speaking to TNT Sports’ David Flatman, Brown explained that the decision to bring in Boyd and Burgess came after some soul-searching from the Gallagher PREM club.
"We felt that the depth and the experience within our coaching group needed enhancement, so we’ve made some changes there," Brown said.
Boyd joins Gloucester after working as a performance consultant for Munster in Ireland.
The New Zealander has had a storied coaching career, most notably transforming Hurricanes in his homeland into a powerhouse and leading them to a Super Rugby title in 2016.
He also worked as the director of rugby for the Northampton Saints, once again turning them into a contender at the highest level.
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Brown said he was "delighted" with Boyd’s arrival in Gloucestershire.
"It’s a stellar signing," he said. "We’re delighted with it. When I spoke to him a few months ago, you could just sense he’s a rugby man, through and through. Gets people, gets the culture, gets the Premiership, gets the whole piece. Clearly, he’s delivered success for Saints in the Prem."
Upon his arrival, Boyd said he was excited by the prospect of joining a club which he feels has huge potential.
"I’m delighted to be supporting Gloucester Rugby during this next phase of the club’s development," he said. "Gloucester is a proud club with a passionate supporter base, and I believe there is huge potential within the playing and coaching group.
"My role is to help bring clarity, alignment and a strong strategic focus to the rugby operation, ensuring everyone is pulling in the same direction.
"I’m looking forward to meeting up with the team and coaches when I travel over to Gloucester in April."
Burgess, meanwhile arrives having worked as the head of recruitment at Bath. During his time in Somerset, the team won the Gallagher PREM Rugby title in 2025.
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Brown expressed his excitement about Burgess’ addition, saying Gloucester had to "steal from the top" to bring him in.
With Gloucester, Brown explained that Burgess will have a wider role than just recruitment, working hand-in-hand with Boyd to build a successful organisation.
"So... working very, very closely with Chris to ensure we’ve got the right set-up, so the coaches can coach and can deliver the on-field success," he said.
Burgess returns to Gloucester having previously acted in the role of head of rugby operations back in 2009.
"I’m incredibly proud to be coming back to Gloucester Rugby in this role," Burgess said. "I’m looking forward to working with Chris, Alex and the performance staff to help build the structures and standards that will support long‑term success at this club.
"I’m really enthused by the scope of this role and the impact it can have, and I’m excited to be coming back to Kingsholm in April."
The announcement of the new arrivals comes with Gloucester sitting eighth in the 10-team PREM table.
Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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