Mike Catt believes England developing fast – Rugby News Update
Mike Catt, the 40-year-old former England centre and currently the interim backs coach for their tour of South Africa, believes that his team is developing fast.
Stuart Lancaster, the head coach of England took over coaching duties after the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and a successful 2012 Six Nations tournament led to his permanent appointment. Catt, who is a former World Cup winner under Sir Clive Woodward, believes
that England is developing quicker under Lancaster than the former World Cup winning coach.
Catt was an essential member of the England team that triumphed at the World Cup in 2003. England is currently trailing South Africa 2 – 0 in the three-match series, and will be hoping for a consolation win against the Springboks at Port Elizabeth, on Saturday.
Catt joined Lancaster's staff on an interim basis prior to the tour of South Africa, and said, "I came from an outsider's point of view and have been very impressed with the environment Stuart has created - the enthusiasm from the players, the players love
going to England again, which is brilliant."
Speaking about the tour, he feels that the players will develop and they can play two World Cups, giving the side stability and helping future plans.
"Stuart has learned a lot about certain individuals who can and can't work in extreme environments," he said. "He will obviously come away from the tour, building towards the 2015 World Cup, knowing who he wants in his squad, who is capable of going to the
extremes, taking themselves out of the comfort zone and performing on a regular basis at that level.”
He also added that in terms of developing character, there is no place tougher than South Africa.
England has a tough ask to defeat the Springboks in the last test, and they will be without their captain Chris Robshaw. There are other injury concerns as well but the team is confident that a victory can be achieved.
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