Rugby: Meyer's time as Leicester head coach could be up

Published on Sunday 4 January 2009 20:34

HEYNEKE Meyer's future as Leicester head coach is in doubt due to family illness in South Africa. Forwards coach Richard Cockerill took charge for yesterday's stirring 24-22 Guinness Premiership victory over title rivals Bath at Welford Road after Meyer returned home last week.

Leicester chairman Peter Tom admitted the situation "put a doubt" over Meyer continuing in a role he only took up last summer.

"Both of Heyneke's wife's parents are seriously ill, and he has gone back to assess the whole situation," said Tom. "We are happy to give him all the time he needs, and I don't think you can speculate. At the end of the day, we accept the family is priority, and the best thing is that Heyneke supports his family."

Meyer replaced Argentina's 2007 World Cup coach Marcelo Loffreda in the Leicester job, and he has guided Tigers into promising Premiership and Heineken Cup positions during his first four months at the helm.

Cockerill added: "Heyneke left on Tuesday evening, but he planned the week and I have spoken to him throughout. We wish him the best and we respect his privacy."

Cockerill is likely to remain in charge for at least the rest of January, with Leicester tackling local rivals Northampton next weekend before European appointments with Treviso and the Ospreys.

On the pitch, Tigers staged a stunning late fightback to dent Bath's Premiership title ambitions. England flanker Tom Croft scored two tries – his second in injury-time – to pip Bath, who had led 22-9.

Fly-half Derick Hougaard kicked 14 points from four penalties and a match-winning conversion, yet Bath will feel aggrieved after outscoring Tigers 3-2 on tries.

Lock Stuart Hooper, hooker Pieter Dixon and wing Joe Maddock all breached Leicester's defence, yet the defeat ruined any chance Bath had of catching league leaders London Irish.

Newcastle head coach Steve Bates accepts next month's showdown with Bristol could prove "a significant game" in the fight for Guinness Premiership survival.

And Friday the 13th is an appropriate date, given the potentially chilling fall-out – National League One rugby next season – for the Memorial Stadium losers.

The Premiership reached its halfway stage with Newcastle and Bristol confirming their status as comfortably the competition's worst two teams.

The Falcons crashed 48-8 against leaders London Irish while Bristol lost 30-8 to Northampton at Franklin's Gardens, leaking ten tries between them and scoring just two.

Irish claimed four touchdowns during 18 devastating first-half minutes at the Madejski Stadium, illustrating Newcastle's rudderless state without injured talisman Jonny Wilkinson.