England has just added a new Scrum Coach to their Pathway system, and it’s none other than former Bath prop Nathan Catt. He called it quits in 2020 after a solid 12-year career with Bath, racking up a total of 170 caps for the club. Catt also made a mark on the international stage with the England Saxons. He was part of the England U20s side that clinched the 2008 U20 Six Nations Grand Slam, and now he’s bringing all that experience to the Pathway coaching staff.
In an interview with England Rugby, Catt expressed his excitement about taking on this new role and teaming up with Head Coach Jonathan Pendlebury. He gave a shoutout to his former club for helping him reach this point.
“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 recognize 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.
After the news of Catt’s arrival to England Rugby was confirmed, 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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