England have confirmed the addition of a new Scrum Coach to the Pathway system, with former Bath prop Nathan Catt appointed to the role. Catt hung up his boots in 2020, ending a 12-year career in the blue, black and white stripes of Bath.
Catt accrued a total of 170 caps for the Somerset club, and also achieved international honours through the England Saxons. Prior to this Catt was apart of the England U20s side that won the 2008 U20 Six Nations Grand Slam, and is a knowledgeable asset to add to the Pathway coaching staff.
Speaking to England Rugby, Catt voiced his excitement to take on the new role, and join up with Head Coach Jonathan Pendlebury. He thanked his former club for helping him get to this position.
“I’m very grateful to be asked to join the pathway alongside some fantastic coaches and members of staff,” said Catt. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside them at different intervals over the last year and look forward to building on those relationships.
“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.
“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 first role in the England Player Pathway set-up saw him assist with the men’s forwards, for the U20s Six Nations and U20s World Championships earlier this year. The former prop takes on the responsibility as scrum coordinator, and oversees the transitioning age group players who progress from junior to senior national set-ups.
Speaking after confirmation of Catt’s arrival to England Rugby, RFU Executive Director of Performance Rugby Conor O’Shea said: “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.
“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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