London Irish confirm the exit of Mike Catt – Rugby News Update
It has been confirmed by London Irish that Mike Catt will be leaving his coaching duties with the club, and will not be returning to the club after his stint with the England rugby team comes to an end.
He is not the only one from the coaching staff to leave the Exiles, as the defensive coach Justin Bishop is also rumoured to leave the club at the end of the season. It is thought that the London based club is looking to shorten their backroom staff of 22
people to 13, in order to divert funds into the playing squad, to make it more competitive for the next year.
Mike Catt, however, will be joining the backroom staff of Stuart Lancaster, the head coach of England, and will be part of the touring squad that plays South Africa in June for a three match test series, along with two other games.
Catt, a former fly-half for the Exiles, admitted that it will be tough to leave the club, where he spent the last eight years of his career, as a player and as a coach. He was lamenting his time at the club when issuing a statement of his eminent departure,
and said, "It has been a difficult decision and I will be sad to leave London Irish." He went on to add, "I want to say a huge thanks to all the players and coaches I have worked with since 2004.”
Catt was all praise for the head coach of the club, Toby Booth, and under his tutelage he learnt about coaching. He said, "Toby Booth in particular deserves massive credit for what and how he has taught me. Thanks also to the supporters who have been brilliant
over the last eight years and I will take away some lasting memories."
Mike Catt has been an influential rugby player during his time, for England and the various clubs he has represented. In total he made 75 test appearances for England, making his debut against Wales at Twickenham in 1994. He also holds the record for being
the oldest player to play in a World Cup final, which came in 2007 against South Africa.
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