World Cup winner Catt announces retirement
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Your support makes all the difference.England World Cup winner Mike Catt will make his final appearance for London Irish in next Saturday's Guinness Premiership clash against Northampton.
Catt, 39 later this year, joined Irish from Bath in 2004. He will continue to develop his coaching career with the Exiles.
Catt won 75 England caps, including playing in the 2003 and 2007 World Cup finals, and he featured for the British and Irish Lions.
During his playing career with Irish, Catt made almost 100 appearances at fly-half or centre.
"I've been fortunate to have had an enjoyable and successful career as a player at club and international level," he said.
"London Irish has given me the opportunity to make the transition from playing to coaching, and the time is right for me to focus full-time on that role.
"I hope to help the club maintain the progress it has made in recent seasons and compete successfully in the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup.
"I would like to thank all the players, coaches, sponsors, supporters and my family who have encouraged me throughout my playing career."
And Irish head coach Toby Booth added: "London Irish has been privileged to have Mike Catt wear its colours for the past six seasons.
"He has been pivotal to the progress we have made in this country and in Europe.
"On behalf of everyone at the club I want to say 'thank you' to Mike for his outstanding contribution as a player.
"He is an inspirational sportsman, and we look forward to working with him as he continues the transition into what we are sure will be a very successful coaching career with us."
Catt, who was born in South Africa, made his England debut in 1994 and was part of their Five Nations title-winning Grand Slam season the following year.
He made one Test appearance on the 1997 Lions tour to South Africa after being called up from England's trip to Argentina as replacement for the injured Paul Grayson, and then retired from international rugby 10 years later after the 2007 World Cup final.
But perhaps his career snapshot moment came in England's World Cup final win against Australia in Sydney four years previously when Catt booted the ball high into touch, referee Andre Watson sounded his final whistle and prolonged celebrations began.
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