Long-serving Bath prop Nathan Catt retires with immediate effect

Loosehead Nathan Catt has retired from playing with immediate effect after making 170 appearances for Bath across twelve years at the Premiership club. The England Saxons forward, who was an uncapped member of Eddie Jones’ senior squad as recently as 2018, broke through at Bath in 2008 after learning the ropes in the club academy.

The 32-year-old last played for the club in the April 2019 league win over Bristol at Twickenham but has now retired with an undisclosed long-term injury.

Speaking on the Bath website, Catt said: “I have been a part of this club for a very long time now and it has been a huge part of my life. The city is phenomenal, the supporters, the club, the players of past and present, it has all been a fantastic journey. 

The moment England lifted the 2020 Six Nations trophy

The moment England lifted the 2020 Six Nations trophy

“I can’t thank Bath enough for giving me this opportunity to experience so many great memories. It has been an extremely tough decision to make. Whilst I have great pride when I look back on my career, I do sit here and think of what could have come – but that is sport and injuries are part and parcel of the game we all love.

“My time has come before I would have liked to hang up my boots, but I’m very proud of what I have achieved, the friends I have made and the memories I will cherish. To the supporters, I just want to say a huge thank you for backing me and following me on my journey, you have been nothing short of amazing.”

? Club Stalwart @nathancatt12345 retires with immediate effect. 
 
?The 32-year-old hangs up his boots having made 170 appearances in Blue, Black and White. 
 #ThankYouCatty

— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) November 3, 2020

Bath boss Stuart Hooper added: “Losing Nathan to injury is a big blow. He has given a huge amount in his career, both emotionally and physically, to this club. He is a world-class individual and he is going to be missed. He genuinely is a Bath man through and through and any time that I have played with him or worked with him, he never gives anything less than 100 per cent. Unfortunately, his body has told him that it is time to stop. 

“He has his wife and two kids to think about and they are absolutely the most important thing to think about. We are gutted to see him go, but I am personally incredibly proud to have played alongside him for the club and count him as a friend who has Bath running through his veins.

“Nathan is a player who wears his heart on his sleeves and when things got tough, he was always the guy to roll his sleeves up and bring everyone in and then charge headlong into the opposition. He has always given his all and that has a huge impact on any squad. The impact of one guy charging into any one given situation, it just has a huge ripple effect on those around them.”

While rehabbing his injury, Catt embarked on level three coaching qualifications through Bath’s partnership programme at the University of Bath. He was last year named in RugbyPass Bath Team of the Decade.

The zero club Marler would surely like to get out ofhttps://t.co/InC53VrODr

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 3, 2020