Boyd happy with Saints' back row options after Augustus signing

Boyd has added Karl Wilkins and Juarno Augustus to his ranks, with both players due to arrive in Northampton this summer.

Teimana Harrison, Lewis Ludlam and Shaun Adendorff are among the others still contracted to Saints for next season.

That means Boyd will have plenty of talented players to choose from as he looks to come up with a winning formula.

When asked whether he could shift Harrison from No.8 to flanker, Boyd said: "There's a lot of water to go under the bridge before that.

"We've got (Karl) Wilkins, who is coming back to Northampton from France, and Courtney (Lawes) will come back to that space after the Lions tour.

"Shaun Adendorff has done a pretty decent job for us and we're happy with JJ Tonks as well.

"We've also got a couple of young guys coming on so there's a really good blend and mix there.

"It's just a matter of who puts their hand up getting a run."

Boyd added: "You've got to have depth, you've got to have marquee players who will do a job for you in big games but you've also got to be strong in the two, three and four slots in most positions.

"We're really happy with what we've brought in, which hasn't been a lot as mainly we're developing our own.

"The combination of the recruitment and development we're happy with by and large."

Augustus, nicked 'Trokkie' (truck) by his team-mates, will certainly pack a punch.

The powerful No.8 will arrive from Super Rugby side the Stormers for pre-season training in July.

And Boyd said: "He's a good ball runner, that sort of abrasive, powerful fella we've been looking to add.

"We've got some really good workers in our loose trio: Teimana Harrison, Lewis Ludlam and crew - we were just looking to add a bit more bump.

"Super Rugby is a different game to the Premiership and he's got to be happy to get in the mixer and learn and grow in that space.

"If we can develop him and piggyback on the things he's very good at already and put some relentless work rate and game understanding in there, he's got all the skill.

"We're looking forward to working with him."