The announcement that Mike Catt will become Ireland attack coach following this year's World Cup means England's 2015 backroom will be working in Ireland come next year.
Andy Farrell, currently Ireland's defence coach, will take over as Ireland head coach after the World Cup; Stuart Lancaster has been with Leinster since 2016; Graham Rowntree will join Munster as forwards coach after the World Cup.
Speaking on 2FM's Game On, former Ireland international Stephen Ferris said he believes Catt is a good appointment. However, he also lamented the lack of Irish coaches working with the provinces and the Irish team.
"They probably scoured the market to see who’s out there and Mike Catt obviously has a good relationship with Andy Farrell who is going to become the main man with Ireland," said Ferris.
I think it’s a good appointment.
He’s coming from an Italian side who probably haven’t lived up to Mike Catt's expectations and have struggled a bit the last couple of years.
Mike Catt is a seasoned professional with 70-odd caps for England and a couple of World Cup finals, so he comes with great pedigree and I think the lads will warm to him nicely.
"Maybe slightly for me, there’s too much of an English feel around this Irish team at the minute," added Farrell.
"I think these coaches see teams that are on the up and Munster with the appointment of [Stephen] Larkham as well, he sees that there’s an opportunity there for them to come good.
"But for me it’s almost like, Jerry Flannery - gone, Felix Jones - gone. [Bernard Jackman] is coaching in Dublin.
"I think Mark McCall is the only one that’s really sticking his hand up to say that when Andy Farrell leaves or moves on or gets sacked, you never know, that he might put his hand up to be the next Irish coach.
"I think fair play to the lads, they’ve seen opportunities, the English guys and they’re going to give it their all and you can’t doubt what they’re going to bring. Look at Lancaster and what he’s brought, Johnny Sexton loves working under him.
"Did he love playing against his English sides? Definitely not. But fair play to the lads and hopefully they bring a lot to Irish rugby over the coming years."
Picture credit: Sportsfile
