Catt calls it quits

Catt calls it quits

4 May 2010

South African-born England back Mike Catt has announced his retirement as a London Irish player.

Catt left South Africa after he was rejected by Eastern Province, and he joined Bath in 1992. Catt played in four World Cups, including England’s triumph in 2003, where his tactical kicking was a vital weapon in closing out matches at inside centre.

Catt, 38, moved to London Irish in 2004 and has been used as a player/coach. He will play his final game in the Exiles’ match against Northampton this weekend, but will stay on as attacking coach.

‘The time is right for me to focus full time on that role,’ said Catt.


13 Comments

  • 1.scar: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2010, 13:12 pm

    Long-standing Dragon,
    although he did fall in trying to stop Jonah!!

  • 2.grant10: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2010, 13:12 pm

    i was there in 95 when lomu ran over him…..great career …well done catt

  • 3.ali: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2010, 13:39 pm

    Always wondered how far he would have gone had he stayed in SA.

    Good player, and always gave rugby a good public image, as well as contributing hugely to the Lomu legend!

  • 4.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2010, 13:42 pm

    well done mike!

    a long career with highs and lows that the world has shared with you but you always did things with a smile (sometimes rueful).

    cheers.

  • 5.CBO: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2010, 16:04 pm

    Surprised to see the friendly posts in response to this article, he was not always SA’s favourite son, but I do agree, a good long career. Well played.

  • 6.Mutant: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2010, 16:51 pm

    Hated him. He’d never have had the career he did in SA though so well done to him I guess. Just hope we don’t have to put up with him behind a microphone in the near future…

  • 7.Boer in beton: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2010, 18:07 pm

    About time too. 38 – he has done well to play professionally till such a ripe old age.

  • 8.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2010, 18:23 pm

    Immense career, I wish we had an intelligent 12 like him or Greenwood in the England side now.

  • 9.digger: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2010, 19:00 pm

    @CBO(CBO)-5: It has always been my opinion that true players and fans of rugby do not hate opposing players. We might not be happy with them kicking the winning penalty against us but I for one was taught to always respect opposition teams.

    So I take my hat off to Mr Catt, thanks for the memories and good luck in whatever career you chose to follow.

  • 10.rastafox: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2010, 19:06 pm

    Big Hit we had, but we donated him to the Poms. It could yet transpire that in Brad Barritt history may repeat itself too.

    Catt deserves serious respect for his career, he has aways come up against the odds, survived ridicule and in hindsight has been a great servant for English Rugby.

  • 11.Johannes Expatinus: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2010, 00:44 am

    @grant10(grant10)-2: same here. and poor bloke, he retires and everyone remembers him for that moment. but it was rather unforgettable.

  • 12.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2010, 03:03 am

    Die ander dag se more was die Catt weer daar…

  • 13.ufo: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2010, 09:10 am

    Mike Catt deserves respect for his long and distinguished career…

    he has been a great servant of and ambassador for rugby… always carried himself with dignity…

    and no controversy at all (that I can recall)

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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