Mike Catt set to join England management team reveals Stuart Lancaster

Mike Catt is on course to be named in England's management team, according to head coach Stuart Lancaster.

Catt was not at England's pre-season camp which ended today - but Lancaster has revealed he is hoping to finalise a long-term deal for the 2003 World Cup winner.

He told reporters: "I'm seeing him next week and am hopeful that that will progress soon.

"The players enjoyed working with him and he helped them in lots of little ways."

Catt will work alongside forwards coach Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell, who is back with England after having second thoughts about extending his contract with Saracens.

Farrell's absence during the recent three-Test tour to South Africa opened the door for Catt.

However, the pair are poised to have different roles in the England set-up - with Farrell working on the team's defence and Catt concentrating on the attack.

Lancaster added: "I'm of a mindset that I don't want to be too stretched.

"I want to make sure I give the players the best support possible to be as good as they can be."

The fruits of their early labours will be on show in November with a match against Fiji, before encounters against the world's top three teams - Australia, South Africa and New Zealand - on successive weekends.

PA