Mike Catt has been appointed as England’s new attacking skills coach, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced Friday.
South Africa-born Catt, capped 75 times by England in a variety of positions in the backs, will work under head coach Stuart Lancaster and alongside backs specialist Andy Farrell and forwards coach Graham Rowntree.
Catt, currently with Premiership side London Irish, got the role after impressing in a caretaker capacity during England’s recent tour of South Africa when Farrell had initially decided to stay with Saracens following his then temporary secondment to the national side during the 2012 Six Nations.
However, both former England backs will now be members of the permanent coaching team with 40-year-old Catt also responsible for developing the skills of younger players in the reserve Saxons set-up.
“Mike made a big impression in South Africa, both on the players and the management,” Lancaster said.