Leicester will decide on the future of their head coach, Heyneke Meyer, who returned to South Africa last month on compassionate leave, after Saturday's decisive Heineken Cup pool match against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium. They are, however, making contingency plans.

Speculation in South Africa is mounting that Meyer, who returned home because his wife's parents are both ill, will not return to Welford Road. He has been linked with jobs at the side he used to coach, the Bulls, as well as a new franchise based in Eastern Province.

Meyer spoke yesterday to the Leicester chief executive, Peter Wheeler, who said the rumours surrounding the Tigers' head coach were unfounded and that Meyer had asked to have until the end of the week to take stock before telling the club when, or if, he would be able to resume his duties.

"Heyneke still has a lot of difficulties at home and we are not going to rush him into making a decision," said Wheeler. "We decided to leave it until the weekend, when I will speak to him again. We have to be realistic, protecting the club's interests in the short and long term, and we are making contingency plans.

"Heyneke has difficult family matters he has to resolve, and we are not putting any pressure on him. He is desperately keen to come back to Leicester: whether that is next week, next month, next season or not at all should be clearer at the weekend. " Meyer is in regular contact with his stand-in replacement, Richard Cockerill, and will remain in touch this week ahead of the clash against the Ospreys. "Heyneke is here for the long term and we want that to happen," said Cockerill.

Like Leicester, Bath have a key Heineken Cup match at the weekend. They face Toulouse at the Recreation Ground with the winner securing a quarter-final place, but it could turn out to be the club's last European match at their home after their request for a new long-term lease, which incorporated plans to increase the capacity from 10,600 to 15,000, were rejected by the Charity Commission, which oversees the ground.

Bath, who have a 61-year lease that does not include the temporary east stand, which has an annual licence, have been invited to submit revised plans, but the decision means they will now consider moving to a 20,000-seater stadium on the city's outskirts and relocating temporarily to Swindon Town for three years. "We want a resolution on this quickly so that we can start planning for next season," said the Bath chief executive, Bob Calleja. "We still hope that a solution can be found that ensures The Rec will continue to enjoy Premiership rugby."