The Billie Jean King Cup - formerly known as the Fed Cup - followed the Davis Cup in switching to a World Cup-style event last year. I had not intended to make any public statement but, given the reports which have been published, and with journalists arriving at my house, I feel I have no choice but to provide a public response. His kicking game will need to be spot on, as will his awareness of the impressive Bok blitz defence. Smith has the ability to make the world champions pay for any defensive errors and he has shown he has the ability to spot and manipulate space - space that will be rare in the Test atmosphere. Howe's arrival, following breakdowns in talks with Villarreal boss Unai Emery and ex-Roma head coach Paulo Fonseca, has not been met with universal acclaim on Tyneside. His doomed final season as Bournemouth manager lingers as the prevailing memory for much of a fanbase for whom relegation, despite their current predicament, is unthinkable.