21 Facts About Mike Catt

Michael John Catt OBE was born on 17 September 1971 and is a South African-born former rugby union player who played for the England national rugby union team.

Mike Catt played professionally for the clubs London Irish and Bath.

Mike Catt earned 75 international caps for England and played in two World Cup Finals, in 2003 and 2007.

Since 2008, Mike Catt has coached various rugby teams, and has since 2019 been an assistant coach for the Ireland national rugby team.

Mike Catt was born on 17 September 1971 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

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Mike Catt attended Grey High School in Port Elizabeth until 1989 and represented Eastern Province at rugby union.

Mike Catt started for Bath in the victorious 1998 Heineken Cup Final as they defeated Brive.

Utility back, Mike Catt played for England at fullback, fly-half, inside centre and even wing, and was part of the England side that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Mike Catt was called up as an injury replacement in the 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa and played in the final test.

Mike Catt was booed when he missed a penalty against Australia in 1998 at Twickenham that could have won the match; Australia won by 1 point.

Mike Catt was selected in the squad that won the 2003 World Cup; a move some saw as the one surprise selection in Clive Woodward's squad.

Mike Catt played in the extra-time period in the final as a replacement for Mike Tindall, alongside Wilkinson and Will Greenwood in England's midfield.

Mike Catt made several breaks in the extra-time period, and kicked the ball into touch to bring about the final whistle, ending the game and confirming England as world champions.

Mike Catt had been in international exile until he was called up to captain England in the 2007 Six Nations game against France at Twickenham.

Mike Catt captained England in the Six Nations defeat to Wales at the Millennium Stadium and again in England's pre-World Cup defeat to France at Twickenham in August 2007.

Mike Catt was included in Brian Ashton's England squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where he helped England reach a second successive final.

Mike Catt brought out his own autobiography after the World Cup "Landing on My Feet: My Story".

Mike Catt confirmed his retirement from international rugby on 27 October 2007, the week after England lost to South Africa in that year's World Cup.

On 25 March 2016, Mike Catt was announced as part of the newly appointed Italy coaching staff, sharing duties with Conor O'Shea and Stephen Aboud.

On 24 June 2019, it was confirmed after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Mike Catt will be joining former England player and coach Andy Farrell's coaching team at Ireland; after Joe Schmidt, the current head coach, steps down.

Mike Catt said: “I am looking forward to RWC in Japan and seeing the group of players we have here in Italy fulfil their potential and achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves.