Boyd off to a losing start in UK

Former Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd didn’t get the winning start he wanted at his new club Northampton.

Northampton were beaten 27-16 by Gloucester at Kingsholm in the opening round of English Premiership club rugby at the weekend.

Boyd, who coached the Hurricanes between 2015 and 2018 and won a Super Rugby title in 2016, must have looked at the number of penalties his side conceded and waggled his head with frustration.

‘‘It is going to be a battle if you concede 21 penalties,’’ Boyd said after the game. ‘‘I don’t think I’ve ever been in a game that a team has conceded 21 times, but it’s something I will have to get used to – or not.’’

Northampton goal kicker Billy Twelvetrees bagged 17 points, slotting five penalties and a conversion.

Welsh first five-eighth Dan Biggar made his debut for Northampton and was overshadowed by Gloucester’s latest signing Danny Cipriani.

‘‘Dan [Biggar] was a mixed bag,’’ Boyd said. ‘‘The guy sets incredibly high standards, and he’s got his head down in the changing room.’’

Meanwhile, former All Black Steven Luatua captained Bristol to a 17-10 win over Bath.

Luatua, who played at blindside flanker, didn’t get on the scoresheet but that was irrelevant as Bristol desperately wanted to mark their promotion in this competition with a victory.

To start the season with a win was paramount.

Former Hurricanes wing/centre Alapati Leiua scored Bristol’s only try. Ex-All Blacks Charles Piutau, who has joined the club on a deal worth around $1.9 million a season, was unable to play because of a shoulder injury.

Bath were unconvincing for much of the game but when Tusi Pisi, another player who cut his teeth in the professional ranks in New Zealand, was yellow carded for a deliberate knock they had the chance to exploit a depleted defensive line.

Rhys Priestland kicked a penalty to put Bath in front but Bristol rallied, and Leiua’s try earned the home side the win.