Catt causes consternation for Welsh

England ace Mike Catt could return to haunt Wales in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash at Twickenham.

Catt, after being dogged by injury this season, has regained a place on the England bench and his mere presence might torment Wales after he turned last November’s World Cup quarter-final between the countries on its head.

Wales, courtesy of first-half tries from Stephen Jones and Colin Charvis, threatened a monumental upset before Catt appeared as a half-time substitute and proceeded to boss the game through an outstanding display of tactical kicking.

“Mike played well in the England A team last weekend, so it’s a very experienced side back on call now,” said England head coach Sir Clive Woodward.

“When you see the side we’ve got out, if we can get it right between the ears, then I’ve got no doubt we can move on to be a lot stronger and better team, even than during the World Cup.”

Woodward promised he would not overreact in the wake of his world champions’ shock 19-13 defeat against Ireland last time out, which ended a run of 22 successive Test wins on home soil and destroyed England’s Grand Slam dream.

There are just four changes – including the positional switch of strike weapon Jason Robinson – to greet Wales.

Bath centre Mike Tindall will make his first England start since the World Cup final after recovering from a serious ankle injury which sidelined him for two months.

Robinson – having carried out emergency midfield duties in Tindall’s prolonged absence – reverts to full-back and groin injury victim Iain Balshaw drops out.

Bath lock Danny Grewcock and Sale Sharks flanker Chris Jones both return to the pack as expected, replacing Steve Borthwick and Joe Worsley, who are both on the bench, along with World Cup squad members Catt and Julian White.

“A performance like the one against Ireland was waiting to happen, and I am glad it has happened sooner rather than later,” added Woodward.

“It has been a massive wake-up call for everyone in the squad, from me downwards.

“We can take it playing badly one week, but we can’t afford to do it ever again. I’m glad to see some familiar faces back in white – Grewcock and Tindall - which allows us to pick a fairly settled team.

“Everybody in the squad fully understands why we won the World Cup and why we’re the number one-ranked team in the world, and how easy it is to let it slip.

“I pride myself on England being the best-prepared team and setting standards above any other team. I think they’ve slipped after the World Cup, through nobody’s fault, but everybody has got to take responsibility for this, especially me.

“We’re now back together again, and have had the wake-up call, but I will just repeat – Ireland deserved to win. I think history will look back on this and say it’s an important lesson the players had to learn.

“You’ve got to hold your hand up. Fortunately, we’ve got another game this weekend, and I promise everyone that they will see a different England performance this weekend.”