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Catt to join England Rugby in specialist role

Nathan Catt of Bath arrives at the stadium prior to the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Bath Rugby and Bristol Bears at Twickenham Stadium on April 06, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

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.

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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.”

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3 Comments
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Glenn 377 days ago

From what I remember he was a poor/average prop. Hopefully he's learnt from being mullered in the scrum by much better players

m
mjp89 377 days ago

Masterful use of a quasi-clickbait headline.

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JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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