Age no barrier to Catt -Ashton

England boss Brian Ashton is convinced age has not wearied Mike Catt as a major force in Test match rugby.

Catt, 35 last September, will become the oldest back to captain England when he leads them out against RBS 6 Nations title favourites France at Twickenham on Sunday.

England have only had three older skippers than Catt – Sam Tucker (1931), Eric Evans (1958) and Dorian West (2003) – while he has not started a Six Nations game since the Grand Slam-ending loss to Ireland in 2001.

But Ashton has no qualms about Catt’s ability to do a job for his country - both as leader instead of concussed Wasps prop Phil Vickery, and in the crucial inside centre role as replacement for the injured Andy Farrell.

Ashton explained: “I have known Mike Catt since 1992 when he came across to this country from South Africa, and if there is one player who knows the way I want to develop this game then it is him.

“He is full of experience and enthusiasm, and I am putting my money on him to help deliver the type of game I want England to play.

“The captaincy is not a long-term thing, and he knows that, but I just feel that with the situation we are in we need someone with his experience.”

Ashton could have opted for Leicester number eight Martin Corry, who led England throughout 2006 before being replaced by Vickery two months ago, and has now switched positions from number eight to lock.

But the head coach added: “Martin Corry has a change of position, and although he has played in the second-row for England before, he will have enough on his plate without the captaincy.”

South Africa-born Catt has a reputation for making successful comebacks during a 13-year England career.

He went almost two years between England appearances in 2001 and 2003 before gaining a surprise World Cup squad call-up, while another two years elapsed - 2004 to 2006 – as Ashton’s predecessor Andy Robinson overlooked him until a two-Test summer tour of Australia.

Catt has not yet featured for England this season, although he travelled to Dublin a fortnight ago as injury cover for fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.

He has scored 142 points during a 67-cap England stint stretching back to his debut against Wales in 1994, when he went on as a replacement for Rob Andrew, currently the Rugby Football Union’s elite rugby director.

He has also been involved in three World Cup campaigns and one Lions tour, and Ashton is a self-confessed fan of a player he first coached at Bath during the early 1990s.

Ashton said: “He is a player with a wide range of skills, and he is a talismanic figure in many ways. He is very good at talking to players and is extremely knowledgeable about the game.

“He has never been a ’what if’ man – he’s a free thinker.

“He has not slowed down from 10 years ago, while technically he is just as good, and his game-understanding is better.

“I think he is a natural athlete, with a tri-athlete’s base to his physicality. He will be just as fit when he is 45, as he is now.”