NATHAN CATT JOINS RFU AS PATHWAY SCRUM COACH

Nathan Catt has joined the RFU from Bath Rugby and will operate as the England Rugby pathway’s designated scrum coach for men’s and women’s sides. 

Catt leaves his role as academy pathway coach at Bath, where he spent three years developing the local crop of talent in the Somerset region and strengthening the production line to the Recreation Ground.  

The 35-year-old announced his retirement from playing in 2020 as a one-club man after 12 years of service and 170 appearances for Bath, also attaining a U20 Six Nations Grand Slam for England at U20 level and a cap as a Saxon. 

As the Bath stalwart’s role at the Blue, Black and Whites draws to a close, Catt will look to continue his positive impact on junior players at England Rugby, just as he did in overseeing the club’s ACE programme at Beechen Cliff. 

Speaking after confirmation of Catt’s arrival, RFU Executive Director of Performance Rugby Conor O’Shea praised the appointment, commenting: “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.” 

The former prop will take on responsibility of scrum coordinator as players transition from junior to senior rugby players in the national set-up, ensuring more comprehensive support for budding internationals whilst wearing the Rose.  

Catt was also involved with the England pathway in assisting the forwards of the U20 Men’s side in their respective outings in this year’s U20 Six Nations and U20 World Championships. 

In a progressive step forward from the England Rugby pathway, the group will now look to capitalise on the foundations put in at the recent Front Five Forwards Specialist Camp and develop the set-piece talents of the most promising age-grade players in England. 

Catt will link-up with Jonathan Pendlebury and the U18 Men for the squad’s upcoming regional camps at St. George’s Park (25-26 November) and Bisham Abbey (2-3 December), the first of many involvements with his role expanding across all pathway teams ahead of a busy 2023/24 campaign. 

Nathan Catt voiced his excitement in joining the national programme and supplementing his previous experience with the U20 Men’s team. 

“I’m very grateful to be asked to join the pathway alongside some fantastic coaches and members of staff, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside them at different intervals over the last year and want to build on those relationships,” Catt said. 

“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.”