Mike Catt appointed attacking skills coach for England squad

Mike Catt has been given the responsibility of sharpening England's attack. The 2003 World Cup winner will start work next week and increase the head coach Stuart Lancaster's management team to four. Catt, who won 75 caps, filled the role on a temporary basis during the summer tour to South Africa. Andy Farrell, who had been in charge of the backs during the Six Nations, was not on the trip having said he did not want the job full time. Farrell changed his mind just before England flew out and was subsequently taken on as an assistant coach with responsibility for the backs. Lancaster said on England's return that he would like to take on Catt permanently, but the deal took two months to sort out because London Irish, the club Catt resigned from at the end of last season, wanted compensation. "Mike made a big impression in South Africa, both on the players and the management," said Lancaster. "When we got back I asked him to outline his vision for developing not only the skills of the senior team, especially in attack, but with our younger players in the Saxons. He will be a great addition alongside Andy and Graham [Rowntree] and I would like to thank London Irish for reaching a compromise with us and allowing Mike to start immediately." Catt, whose title will be attacking skills coach, said: "I loved working with the squad in South Africa and I can see this group of players is heading in the right direction. To be able to work with Stuart, Andy [Farrell] and Graham [Rowntree] and the best players in England is a great honour."