Mike Catt
England
player portrait
Full name Michael John Catt
Born September 17, 1971, Port Elizabeth
Current age 52 years 184 days
Major teams Barbarians, Bath Rugby, British and Irish Lions, London Irish, England
Position Centre, Fly-half
Height 5 ft 11 in
Weight 191 lb

Test career
Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
All Tests 1994-2007 76 63 13 142 7 16 22 3 50 25 1 66.44
England 1994-2007 75 62 13 142 7 16 22 3 50 24 1 67.33
British and Irish Lions 1997-1997 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Five/Six Nations 1994-2007 30 26 4 24 2 4 2 0 23 7 0 76.66
IRB Rugby World Cup 1995-2007 19 14 5 17 2 2 0 1 14 5 0 73.68

Career statistics
Test debut England v Wales at Twickenham, Mar 19, 1994 match details
Last Test England v South Africa at Stade de France, Oct 20, 2007 match details
Test Statsguru Main menu | Career summary | Match list | Most points | Most tries | Tournament list

English Premiership
Team Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
All matches 1997-2010 167 148 19 444 26 58 61 5 99 66 2 59.88
Bath Rugby 1997-2004 91 87 4 383 20 53 57 2 59 30 2 65.93
London Irish 2004-2010 76 61 15 61 6 5 4 3 40 36 0 52.63
Profile

England utility back Mike Catt was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and played for Eastern Province as a student. Catt, whose mother was English, joined Bath in 1992 as understudy to England fly-half Stuart Barnes. He made his debut against Northampton at age 21.

Catt's England debut came in 1994 against Wales, as a replacement for fly-half Rob Andrew, but he came to international prominence as a fullback. Indeed, Catt's international career took in caps at fly-half, fullback, centre and wing. He starred at fullback during England's 1995 Grand Slam before being selected for the World Cup in South Africa later that year.

Catt's most memorable contribution at the World Cup was to be unceremoniously trampled by a rampaging Jonah Lomu during the semi-final match against New Zealand.

Catt made one Test appearance for the British and Irish Lions in 1997, starting the third Test at fly-half. He was also selected for England's 1999 World Cup squad as they crashed out in the quarter-finals.

Catt moved into the centre following the 1999 tournament, and outside Jonny Wilkinson found a new vein of form. He was selected for his second Lions tour in 2001, but injury meant that he was replaced by Wales centre Scott Gibbs.

Catt's finest moment in an England shirt came in 2003, when he was part of the side that won the World Cup in Sydney. Catt made a replacement appearance in the final after starting the semi-final win over France at inside-centre.

Following the end of the 2003-04 season Catt's contract with Bath was not renewed, and he subsequently moved to London Irish. Catt enjoyed a renaissance with the Exiles, going on to be named Guinness Premiership Player of the Season in 2005-06, and he became the oldest player to play in a World Cup final when he lined up against South Africa in 2007. In the aftermath of the tournament Catt caused controversy with criticism levelled at the England management in his autobiography.

Following the departure of Brian Smith to the England setup, Catt took over duties as London Irish attack coach in the 2008-09 season and finally decided to hang up his boots at the end of the 2009-10 season to concentrate on his coaching career. Awarded an MBE in the wake of England's 2003 World Cup triumph, he received an OBE in the New Year Honours list at the end of 2010.

Catt helped herald through numerous backs for London Irish including Jonathan Joseph but failed to guide the Exiles to silverware. With Smith returning to the London Irish set-up it was announced in April 2012 that Catt would leave the club.

On the same day, the Rugby Football Union announced that Catt would join England on their tour of South Africa as interim backs coach with Wayne Smith and Andy Farrell both turning down the role.

Latest Articles
Mike Catt questions Cheika's hooker decision (Aug 22, 2015) Catt hails Joseph-Ford connection (Mar 18, 2015) Catt: England know scale of task against Ireland (Feb 28, 2015) Mike Catt plays down Joseph-Guscott comparison (Feb 16, 2015) England have improved, says Catt (Feb 5, 2015) Mike Catt news and articles (121) »
Latest Photos
Feb 14, 2015
England coach Mike Catt reacts after their win over Italy
England coach Mike Catt reacts after their win over Italy
©  Getty Images
Nov 18, 2014
Mike Catt shows his ball skills in England training
Mike Catt shows his ball skills in England training
©  Getty Images
Jun 19, 2014
Chris Ashton catches the ball as skills coach Mike Catt holds the tackle bag
Chris Ashton catches the ball as skills coach Mike Catt holds the tackle bag
©  Getty Images
Mar 11, 2014
England coach Mike Catt gives Owen Farrell some pointers
England coach Mike Catt gives Owen Farrell some pointers
©  Getty Images
Mike Catt rugby photos (39) »

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