Bath lining up former Bok coach Meyer

Former Springbok head coach Heyneke Metyer has been linked to the recently opened head coach position at Premiership Rugby club Bath.

Bath announced on Monday that Ford would be leaving after four years with the club but interestingly nine months after signing a four year contract extension.

The west country club issued a statement on Monday saying that they were “reviewing” their coaching set-up for next season and would be “making an announcement in due course”.

It now seems that Meyer who led the Springboks to the Rugby World Cup Semi-finals has been identified as the leading candidate for the job. Meyer has also been linked to a position in Japan.

Meyer chose not to seek a a renewal of his Springbok coaching contract late last year and the South African Rugby Union have appointed his successor in Allister Coetzee.

Forty-eight-year-old Meyer was the first South African coach to have win a Super Rugby title when he led the Bulls to the title in 2007.

Meyer then spent a short time with Leicester Tigers in 2008 but had to return home to South African after a period of compassionate leave to help care for his wife’s parents.

It appears that Bath owner Bruce Craig had lost patience with Ford after he transformed their game into an attacking style which saw them reach the Premiership final last season.

The current season has not gone as well and Bath finished the season in 9th place with just 9 wins from 22 matches.

Mike Ford’s departure from Bath has also thrown doubt over his son George’s future was signed from Leicester by his father Mike in 2013.