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.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
The David Connolly(?) story was the best!
Connolly became big headed when they named the train station after him. I knew it was a mistake.
@GARFARKLE: I hope he doesn’t turn out like Whitney Heuston.
@John Smith: must’ve indulged in Dutch culture a bit too much when he played reserve football there
@Armchair Follower: brilliant
@Armchair Follower: she did go off the rails in fairness
@GARFARKLE: bit of a ceannt alright
Reid was treated disgracefully. He wasn’t the Irish messi – he could however do something few others in the team were capable of – play a forward pass and keep possession.
@Colm O’Sullivan: And, play the guitar.
Good luck to arter, he has been weak for us in most of the games he has played.
How many grannies did Stephen ireland-ish say he had again ? Lol
@paul fennelly For the record, 1. Roy Keane complained about the training facilities several times during home matches before the World Cup. 2. McCarthy promised everything would be sorted by the World Cup. 3. Keane threatened to walk out of tournament on reaching Saipan because of the substandard facilities 4. He was convinced to stay for the sake of the fans 5. Next morning McCarthy called a meeting with everyone involved in the squad except for Keane and then he sent someone for Keane after everyone else had turned up. He confronted him in front of everyone about an interview only just published that he had given several days before and after an argument he sent Keane home. RESULT Keane was SENT home. This is fact, why do people insist that he walked out?
@John Mullin: You obviously haven’t read his own book. Funny as you sound like such a fan
Stephen Ireland’s career went downhill when granny-gate happened for both club and country. His head has never been screwed on. Only himself to blame.