Sale Sharks can confirm that Defence Coach Byron McGuigan has left the club by mutual agreement to pursue other opportunities.
Fans’ favourite Byron, 36, originally joined Alex Sanderson’s coaching staff ahead of the 2023/24 season, bringing to an end a top-flight playing career that had seen him make more than 100 Sharks appearances and pick up ten Scotland caps.
Last season he took charge of the Sharks team during the Prem Rugby Cup and played a key off-field role, leading the defence, as the club reached the Gallagher PREM semi-final.
In the summer, Byron joined up with Steve Borthwick’s England coaching team for the tour to Argentina, and that agreement was later extended to include the Quilter Autumn Series and the recent Guinness Six Nations.
Byron said: “After ten incredible years with Sale Sharks, I’m hugely grateful for the memories, the people, and the opportunity to represent and later coach this club. It’s been a privilege every step of the way.
“Special thanks to the owners – Michelle, Simon and Ged – who are incredible people who make this all happen. I can’t thank them enough for everything they do for Northern Rugby and Sale Sharks.
“Thank you to the fans, who have always supported me and to the players – you’ve been incredible to play with and coach. I’ve made memories and friendships that I’ll keep forever.”
Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said: “Byron’s contribution to the club as a player and then as a coach has been huge. He’s been a massive part of what we’ve achieved, and who we are as a club, and his influence will be felt in whatever we achieve in the future.
“He’s grown with the team as a player and then grown as a coach in the last couple of years to achieve what most coaches want, and that’s international honours, and we’re so proud of him for that.
“He was a great player and he’s a brilliant coach, but most importantly, he’s a great bloke and he’s the kind of guy you want on the bus. That’s felt squad-wide and you can see it in his rapport with the players. He’ll be missed by everyone at the club.
“Personally, we didn’t achieve everything we wanted to do together because we wanted to win cups, but I know our paths will cross again. I look forward to seeing him achieve great things in the future.”
