South Africans Heyneke Meyer and Butch James grabbed the headlines in the English Premiership on Sunday as Leicester and Bath made winning starts.
Meyer, who replaced Argentina’s Marcelo Loffreda in the Leicester hot seat, saw his team win 20-8 at Gloucester, thanks to late tries from Geordan Murphy and Toby Flood.
England back Flood kicked two early penalties on his Premiership debut for Leicester and claimed a late interception try that he also converted.
Meyer, who led the Blue Bulls to last year’s Super 14 title, said: ”We always knew it would be tough.
”We knew Gloucester would come out firing and that we would have to get stuck in and show some attitude.
”Our fitness levels showed and I was very happy with the defence. Gloucester had a lot of opportunities out wide but we defended well.”
Bath triumphed 33-20 over neighbours Bristol, scoring three tries to two as Springbok flyhalf James kicked 18 points.
Bath coach Steve Meehan was full of praise for James, who only reported back after the Tri-Nations but was instrumental in securing the European Challenge Cup holders’ first victory over their west country rivals at the Memorial Stadium since March 1998.
Meehan had no qualms about including James despite him having being involved in only a couple of training sessions.
”It was never in doubt. When he was replaced by South Africa against Australia, [in the Tri-Nations] I said ‘You beauty’,” said Meehan.
”He makes things look easy. He is one of those players who has time on the ball. He has a lot of confidence … and he has this marvellous way of talking to everyone on the field to organise them.”
Northampton made a winning return to the top flight with a 21-13 success against Worcester with Dylan Hartley coming off the bench to score the decisive try.
Worcester had former Australia fullback Chris Latham making his Premiership debut. Sale got their campaign off to a sound start with a 14-9 victory over Newcastle. — AFP
