LONDON (Reuters) – Mike Catt will join England’s
coaching staff for next month’s five-match tour of South Africa, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said on
Tuesday.
losing the Premiership rugby union final to Leicester Tigers at Twickenham in London May 16, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh
The South African-born former England utility back will leave London Irish after
Saturday’s final Premiership game against Gloucester for England duties from May 7 to June 30.
“Mike has played at
the top level and is highly respected. He has done a great job whilst coaching at London Irish and we are looking forward to
working with him on this South Africa tour,” said England head coach Stuart Lancaster in a statement.
“He is
experienced in playing in South Africa and this will be invaluable as we prepare for this challenging and exciting
tour.”
Catt, a World Cup winner who retired from international rugby in 2007, has been with London Irish since
2004.
England open their tour of South Africa in Durban on June 9 with the first of three tests.
The second
test will be played in Johannesburg on June 16 after a midweek match against the South Africa Barbarians South in Kimberley
on June 13. They then play South Africa Barbarians North in Potchefstroom on June 19.
The final test is in Port
Elizabeth, Catt’s birthplace, on June 23.