MIKE CATT WILL join Andy Farrell’s Ireland coaching setup following this year’s Rugby World Cup, the IRFU have confirmed.
The former England international is currently attack coach with Conor O’Shea’s Italy, with whom he has operated since March 2016. He has signed a contract with Ireland which will take him up to the 2023 World Cup.
Catt held a similar role with England between 2012 and 2015, during which spell he worked alongside Farrell. He had previously spent four years as a player-coach and attack coach with London Irish.
“I am looking forward to the Rugby World Cup in Japan and seeing the group of players we have here in Italy fulfil their potential and achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves,” Catt said. “Obviously, it is an honour to be given this future opportunity with Ireland but I will focus on that challenge only after I have given my all for Italy and this group of players.”
Added IRFU performance director David Nucifora: Mike brings a wealth of experience to the coaching group and has been operating at the highest level of the international game for some time.
He was a smart and innovative player and he brings those attributes and much more besides in his approach to coaching and player development. We feel that we have secured a talented practitioner who will add significant value to the group and to the wider Irish system.
Catt won a World Cup with England in 2003, earned 75 caps for his country, and toured with the Lions in 1997 and 2001. He also won four Six Nations titles with England and a European Cup with Bath as well as three Premiership titles.
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Maybe it’s just me but I’m a little bit underwhelmed by this appointment given the two coaches that munster have signed ( presumably part negotiated by and certainly paid for by the IRFU). I get that personal working relationships are a factor and that Farrell would like to have a confidant in the camp but I’m not sure if Catt is the best man for what must be one of the top non head coach jobs in world rugby. Catt is obviously a very good coach, not doubting that for a second, but I’d have thought that his CV wasn’t good enough for this role. From an Irish team perspective I think I’d have been happier with Larkham in the position and Catt at Munster, not outlandish seeings as they have the same pay master.
@Jim Demps: btw I might add that Catt is one of my favourite players of all time. One of the best England ever produced. Class act, nice guy too. I might be wrong in saying this but I think he played in all 7 backline positions for England.
@Jim Demps: dont ever remember him lining out as a scrum half. But seen him play everywhere across the backline
@Jim Demps: It’s Farrell’s first gig as head coach so I think the best thing to do is get in guys who he trusts and who share a vision of how they want to play rugby. He can always mix it up a bit once he’s settled in the role
@David O’Brien: yeah had a quick look there. He played games in 6 out of the 7 backline positions for England. You’re right, no SH.
@Eddie Hekenui: yeah I get all that but I don’t think Catt has particularly wowed in any of his previous jobs. I’m not sure who I was expecting but I just find it odd that munster have arguably just hired a better backs/ attack coach.
@Jim Demps: Yeah I get where you’re coming from and it makes a lot of sense. I guess going on Farrell’s history he’s seen what happens when there’s disjointed ideas about how a team is going to play. There’s going to be a fair bit of upheaval post Schmidt and I think it’s sensible (if not particularly exciting) to go with a team of coaches that he knows are all pulling in the same direction.
@Eddie Hekenui: I think larkham has shown he has very definate ideas on how he wants to coach & was willing to clash with cheikha, he mightnt have been a good fit with Farrell who I’d say is a fairly single-minded man too. It was interesting that Munster were looking for a backs coach but when he was announced it was as ‘senior coach’s. Van graan seems to have gone to director of rugby & I think larkham has been given assurances that he can implement his own game plan. Like in fairness, he is pretty high profile & experienced to accept an assistant role
@Jim Demps: you say England produced, despite the fact that he was born and raised in South Africa till he was about 19
@@aidoroch: yes I know. All his top level rugby was played in and for England which is why I said English produced. Nothing more boring than a pedantic Pete.
I uhh. I’m not sure on this one.
An interesting signing. Italy’s attack has been the one facet of their game that has improved massively over the last few years under Catt and is quite similar to Ireland’s current possession-based game.
While at England with Lancaster, England also played some very good attacking rugby too, despite ultimately failing to qualify for the knockouts in the 2015 World Cup.
While Catt doesn’t have any silverware to his name as a coach, I think his style of rugby will suit the current Irish playing squad.
@EK: I agree with you on this one…. Italy have definitely improved. Hopefully his contribution was a telling factor…. I wouldn’t be surprised if O’Shea’s reference was a clincher for the IRFU.
Even though he doesn’t have silverware as a coach, he was proven winner as a player. This is the one ingredient missing from the coaching ticket until now.
@Paul Ennis: because Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby are proven losers?
@KH: Neither of them won silverware as players….. is my point! Catt has the full bag of EP, HC, 6N & WC winners medals. Not to mention a Lions Tour. There is definitely something he can bring to the conversation.
Familiarity can be a great help, with Lancaster in Leinster and Englands other two coaches (from the infamous 2015 WC ) in for Ireland I feel that the same tactical approach will be on display for Ireland. England had a disaster but looking at what was done at Leinster I have a good feeling. Regarding Munster and Larkham you could argue that they need a attack coach more than Ireland do :;of course that is just reading between the lines :: There is something about it that feels right to me:: IMO
It’s great if only for all the ‘my cat’ jokes…
I have huge reservations over Farrell & Catt taking over Ireland. How and why we are overlooking proven winners like Cullen and McCall is beyond me.
This could be another Brian Ashton set-up.
@Treaty Bhoy: I actually agree with you. I think Farrell is worth a shot but they could have got him a better support team. I’d have serious doubts about Fogarty, on his watch with leinster a b&I lion like McGrath has gone backwards at a rate of knots. Porter, for all his physical advantages, has not improved one iota. And Sean Cronin, who’s a fantastic athlete & broken field player, is still technically flawed. It might be harsh to put it on him but surely a good coach will improve his players
@Tim Magner: by way of comparison, Gerry flannery, who’s now gone into the media, has improved players like kilcoyne, Archer & Billy Holland out of all recognition & they all in their 30′s
@Treaty Bhoy: it couldn’t be further than that . Ashton was a pro that landed into an amateur set-up with low standards , he was overruled by Pa Whelan on multiple issues and realised that he had be duped . Catt is a top professional landing into now one of the top teams in the world with a set-up envied by many countries around the world . He will have excellent access to players because of the player management system. That to me is the main reason talent like Larkham , Rowntree and Catt are more than keen to come on board. Lancaster and Farrell will have given very good reviews of their experiences . A coach like Farrell could demand lots of money in any English Premiership club or Top14 . He’s staying in Ireland because he reckons they have a good chance on building on the work done
Average player and average coach.
Stinks of a jobs for the boys appointment to me.
Really disappointing signing.
The Italy attach coach! What a resume!
Where are the Irish coachs ?Outside Leo nothing . Is it anybody bar Irish
@Tony Talbot: Simon easterby and John fogarty both in the Irish set up.
@Tony Talbot: All working abroad.