Darbon discusses possible contract extension for Saints boss Boyd

And Darbon says talks surrounding a contract extension for the Kiwi boss are 'positive'.

Boyd's current deal concludes at the end of the 2020/21 season.

He has been in charge for two campaigns so far, overseeing a Premiership Rugby Cup win and a fourth-placed finish in the Gallagher Premiership during his first season.

Saints also reached the Challenge Cup quarter-finals during the same campaign.

Last season saw the black, green and gold start strongly before falling away, finishing eighth in the league and bowing out at the last-eight stage of the Champions Cup at Exeter Chiefs.

But it is clear that Saints want Boyd to stay at Franklin's Gardens beyond next summer.

“Chris’s current contract runs out at the end of the 2020/21 season and it’s well publicised that we think that Chris has done a great job since he’s come in," Darbon said.

“He’s had a massive impact here.

“You look at some of the things the squad have achieved since he’s been here - the Premiership Rugby Cup win, finishing in the top four, quarter-finals in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

“Are we where we want to be yet? Absolutely not, but Chris is the first to recognise that. He’s stated as much and it feels like there is unfinished business for all of us.

“We’re now beginning to talk about the future and those discussions are positive.

“Nothing is set in stone and you’ll be the first to hear when we have some news.

“Discussions are positive.”

While Boyd's future remains uncertain, the rest of Saints' coaching team is set in stone as the likes of Phil Dowson, Sam Vesty and Matt Ferguson all penned contract extensions during the summer.

So what was the thinking behind that, considering Boyd is not yet guaranteed to stay to lead them?

“Like many aspects of contracting, the timelines don’t always align perfectly but the key point is that we’ve got a huge amount of confidence in the group of coaches we’ve got," Darbon said.

“A bit like our playing group, we recognise those coaches are in the early stages of their career and we’ve got high expectations for what they can deliver and how they can grow and deliver.

“We think they’re a core part of our future and we thought it was the right time to discuss with a number of them extending their time here. We felt very comfortable doing that.

“Chris was obviously involved in those discussions and those conversations and it made sense to the board and the rest of the organisation.

“We’re excited to see where that coaching group can go.”

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