Catt claws his way back into England squad

MIKE Catt, who has had more lives in an England jersey than most since making his Test debut in 1994, will be reborn as an international player again on this summer’s Test tour to Australia.

Catt, 34, has been named in England’s 30-man touring squad, where he will play a crucial role in mentoring youngsters like Tom Varndell and Mathew Tait.

England are missing at least 15 first-choice names, either rested in preparation for the World Cup or injured, and the squad includes six uncapped players.

But head coach Andy Robinson insists the selection of the London Irish star, who won the last of his 65 caps two years ago in Clive Woodward’s final game in charge, is no stop-gap measure.

Catt was a surprise inclusion in the victorious 2003 World Cup party — and Robinson believes he could be a key figure again when England defend their title next year.

“Providing he is managed carefully, there is no doubt Mike Catt can challenge for a place at next year’s World Cup,” said Robinson.

“There is no doubt he was a world-class performer for England and was instrumental in England winning that World Cup with his performances against Wales, against France in the semi-final and coming off the bench in the final.

“He is a quality operator. His enthusiasm for the game has been tested over the last couple of years but he has been revitalised.

“London Irish have managed him very well and that is why he has performed at the level he has.

“The key for me is that Mike Catt can translate to the younger players the type of game we are looking to play over there.

“The players can bounce ideas off him and chat to him.”

England return to the scene of their finest hour with just one player — the Leicester lock Ben Kay who has been out of the Test scene all season — from the starting XV of the World Cup final.

The tour party is not quite as inexperienced as the group which was battered 76-0 in 1998 but it will certainly invoke memories of the infamous ‘Tour to Hell’.

England were heavily criticised by their hosts for not taking a full-strength party on that occasion. Robinson is likely to be greeted with similarly negative feedback with the likes of Martin Corry, Charlie Hodgson, Harry Ellis, Mark Cueto, Steve Thompson, Ben Cohen and Mike Tindall all rested.

“I don’t care,” he said.

“There is only so much battering a player can take. I am confident the selections are the right choices for England to move forward.”