There has been no official confirmation, although the appointment has been widely rumoured over the past few weeks.

The newspaper reports that to avoid the perception that the touring party will become too Anglo-centric, the other Home Union coaches may be invited to join the set-up.

Official word on the appointment may not arrive until next week.

The tour gets under way in June 2005 and due to pressures of player club commitments, the tour schedule may be restricted to six games only - three Tests and three midweek games, which would make it the shortest ever.

Zurich, the current backers of the English Premiership, are also expected to be announced as the main tour sponsors.

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