Gloucester Rugby have announced key additions to their backroom staff, appointing Chris Boyd, former Northampton Saints director of rugby, as technical director, and Rob Burgess, ex-Bath Rugby head of recruitment, as rugby general manager.
As part of this structural overhaul, current director of rugby George Skivington will step back to focus solely on coaching as head coach for the 2026/27 season, aligning with Boyd’s initial contract timeframe.
New Zealander Chris Boyd brings a wealth of international experience, having led the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and served as Northampton Saints director of rugby from 2018 to 2022. Boyd joined Gloucester in a consultancy role recently and will oversee the club’s rugby strategy, with direct reporting lines from Skivington and Burgess. According to the club, Boyd’s responsibilities include refining the team’s playing identity, critiquing training sessions, advising on tactical priorities, and supporting squad succession planning.
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Expressing enthusiasm for his new role, Boyd said, “I’m delighted to support Gloucester Rugby’s next phase. The club’s proud heritage and passionate fanbase present great potential within the playing and coaching ranks. My focus will be on fostering clarity, alignment, and strategic focus in the rugby operations to unify everyone’s efforts. I look forward to engaging closely with the team and coaches during my visit in April.”
Boyd will balance remote work with on-site involvement to fulfill his duties effectively.
Rob Burgess, who will join Gloucester from Bath Rugby on April 1, brings extensive experience from elite rugby environments to his new role as General Manager – Rugby. He will manage the heads of Medical, Performance, Analysis, Team Operations, and the Academy, ensuring cohesive operation across departments and overseeing player retention and recruitment.
Burgess’s rugby background includes roles with Dragons RFC, the England men’s senior team, and founding a rugby agency. Notably, he previously served as Gloucester Rugby’s Head of Rugby Operations in 2009.
On returning to Gloucester, Burgess remarked, “I’m proud to be back and eager to collaborate with Chris, Alex, and the performance team to build the structures and standards essential for the club’s long-term success. The scope of this role excites me, and I look forward to returning to Kingsholm in April.”
Gloucester CEO Alex Brown praised both appointments: “Chris and Rob are outstanding additions. Chris’s premier and Super Rugby experience bring crucial strategic insight as we evolve our rugby model for sustained success. We’re thrilled to welcome Rob back; his leadership and operational expertise are vital to fostering a high-performance culture. After much deliberation, we’re pleased both have committed to joining us ahead of the 2026/27 season and beyond.”