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Rugby Union

Catt wants to be England backs coach under Johnson

17/04/2008

Former England star Mike Catt has revealed he is interested in becoming the England backs coach under new team manager Martin Johnson.

England already have a coaching team consisting of John Wells, Mike Ford, Graham Rowntree and Jon Callard, but it is understood that Johnson is looking to install a specialist backs coach in time for the tour of New Zealand in June.

Catt played alongside Johnson for over a decade and won the World Cup in 2003 under his leadership. The 36-year-old, who is currently player-coach at London Irish, played for England in a number of positions, including centre, fly-half, full-back, and on the wing.

"I would love to work with Johnno, he's got a wealth of experience in the game," Catt, who admitted he had yet to speak to Johnson, told the BBC.

"He was a fantastic rugby player and he's got the utmost respect from a lot of players and leaders in the game.

"When he says something you do it, or you suffer the consequences. He knows exactly what he wants to achieve - and he makes sure it happens."

Northampton coach Jim Mallinder and former England scrum-half Austin Healey are the other main contenders for the role.

Healey said that former England head coach Brian Ashton had even offered him the job of backs coach for the trip to New Zealand.