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Catt to join England Rugby in specialist role
Nathan Catt is set to join the RFU from Bath Rugby and to take up a role as England Rugby pathway’s specialist scrum coach for men’s and women’s sides.
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The former prop bids farewell to Bath after an impactful three-year stint dedicated to nurturing local talent in the Somerset region.
Catt, a 35-year-old retiree, called time on his illustrious 12-year playing career in 2020, concluding with 170 appearances for Bath and notable achievements such as a U20 Six Nations Grand Slam for England at U20 level.
As Catt’s chapter with Bath comes to a close, a new one begins within the broader landscape of English rugby. The seasoned prop, known for overseeing Bath’s ACE programme at Beechen Cliff and contributing to the England pathway, is set to extend his positive influence on junior players as a scrum specialist.
Specifically, Catt will be in charge of the transition from junior to senior rugby players in the national set-up, ensuring “more comprehensive support for budding internationals whilst wearing the Rose”.
Catt joins forces with Jonathan Pendlebury to lead the charge in developing set-piece talents among the country’s most promising age-grade players, following on from the recent success of the Front Five Forwards Specialist Camp.
“I’m very grateful to be asked to join the pathway alongside some fantastic coaches and members of staff, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside them at different intervals over the last year and want to build on those relationships,” said Catt. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Bath for all the years of support both on and off the pitch, they really are a special club and I look forward to returning with the U20 Men next year for our Six Nations games against Wales and Ireland.
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“I recognise that within the pathway now there is an opportunity to be part of leading England’s teams to excel on the world stage, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Catt’s expanded role encompasses engagement with all pathway teams, starting with the U18 Men’s regional camps at St. George’s Park (25-26 November) and Bisham Abbey (2-3 December). This marks the beginning of a broader involvement as Catt prepares to navigate a busy 2023/24 campaign.
RFU Executive Director of Performance Rugby Conor O’Shea said of the appointment: “Nathan has demonstrated great commitment to his craft since his retirement from the game, he has played a big part in nurturing the potential associated with the Bath Rugby academy. It’s a great privilege to add his expertise to our pathway here.
“The RFU has been investing in the pathway over the last three years to ensure we have the right talent coming through, and this new appointment is a continuation of that.
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“His addition is a very important one as the Union seeks to further fortify the calibre of forwards we produce who not only go on to represent England at a senior level, but to challenge at age-grade level too.
“I have every confidence Nathan will be a fantastic fit for our programme and will continue imparting his knowledge on the country’s finest prospects now fully part of the RFU.”
Comments on RugbyPass
This article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
1 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
226 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
226 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
18 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
18 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to commentsIt was rubbish to watch, Blues weren’t even present. Did what they had to do, nothing more. Should be better next week against canes.
1 Go to commentsI’ve just noticed that this match has an all-French refereeing team. Surely a game like this ought to have a neutral ref? Although looking at the BBC preview of the Saints game, Raynal is also down as reffing that - so there may be some confusion about who is reffing what.
1 Go to commentsIf Havili can play anywhere in the back line, why not first 5. #10.
11 Go to commentsThe dressing room had already left for their summer break before they ran out in Dublin that year, and that’s on the coach. Franco Smith has undoubtedly made progress, particularly their maul, developing squad players and increasing squad depth. And against a very tight budget too. That said they were too lightweight last year and got found out against both Toulon and Munster in consecutive games. Better this season so far but they’ve developed something of a slow start habit occasionally, most notably losing at home to Northampton who played them at their own game. Play offs will ultimately show whether there has been tangible progress on last year, or not…!
2 Go to commentsAustralian Rugby has been a disaster, by not incorporating learning from previous successful campaigns. QLD Reds 2011 - Waratahs 2014. Players, coaches and administrators appoint there representatives for scheduled meetings, organisation’s agreement’s assessments and correspondence. This why a unified Rugby Union under one entity works. Every Rugby nation has taken that path. Was most difficult in the Northern hemisphere with over 100 years of club rugby before the game become professional. Took a lot of humility for those unions to eventually work together.
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