NEWS ROUND-UP:NEW LEICESTER head coach Heyneke Meyer admits he was "humbled" by the Tigers' interest in him after yesterday signing a three-year deal at Welford Road.
Meyer (40) replaces Marcelo Loffreda in the Tigers hot seat and will arrive at Welford Road later this summer boasting a wealth of experience and a impressive track record.
Under his guidance, the Bulls became the first South African team to win the Super 14 title in 2007 and he helped the Blue Bulls to four Currie Cup titles in five years.
Meyer was short-listed for the South Africa head coach's job following the World Cup but missed out in controversial circumstances to Pieter de Villiers.
He replaces Loffreda, the former Argentina head coach, who was sacked after just eight months in charge at Leicester having failed to deliver any silverware last season. "I have always thought that if I want to get back into rugby it must be with one of the best clubs in the world, and I truly believe Leicester Tigers are one of the best clubs in world rugby," said Meyer.
Martin Johnson officially takes charge of England today faced with the immediate challenge of restoring the reputation of the red rose jersey, which has been tarnished both on and off the field over the last month.
Two heavy defeats to a rebuilding New Zealand team and a serious sexual allegation made against four members of the touring squad has put English rugby in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The players strongly deny the allegation of rape and/or sexual assault and no formal complaint has been made to Auckland police.
But the over-riding impression of the tour was that England, with the vast majority of the squad under 30, lacked leaders and lost respect. Efforts to repair the on-field damage begin immediately, with Johnson to name his senior England squad for the forthcoming season today.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Cowan's future in the New Zealand team hangs in the balance, after the scrumhalf was arrested and charged with disorderly behaviour.
Cowan (26), who played in the recent games against England, was arrested outside a bar in Invercargill in the early hours of Sunday morning and is also facing charges relating to an incident in Dunedin on May 12th. Cowan will face a New Zealand Rugby Union hearing in Wellington today and could face punishment ranging from a warning to dismissal.
