Springboks turn to Meyer for England's summer tour

England's long-term coaching staff, whoever they turn out to be, will find themselves pitting their wits against a formidable rugby intellect when they travel to South Africa for a three-Test tour in June.

Heyneke Meyer, who spent an uncomfortable few months in charge of Leicester in 2008 before returning home for personal reasons midway through the season, has been unveiled as the new Springbok coach in succession to the outspoken Peter de Villiers. He has signed a contract taking him through to the 2015 World Cup.

The 44-year-old from Nelspruit had been favourite to succeed the triumphant Jake White after the Boks won the Webb Ellis Cup in France in 2007, but was beaten to the job by De Villiers, the first black man to coach the national side. Meyer is a popular figure in the republic, well respected by rugby folk, who point to his success in establishing the Pretoria-based Blue Bulls as one of the major powers of the world game.

Wales, meanwhile, have recalled the veteran Scarlets outside-half Stephen Jones to their Six Nations mix as cover for the injured Rhys Priestland.