Catt has chance to press for permanent position

Once his commitments finish with London Irish on Saturday, Catt will take up a two-month contract to act as assistant during England’s three-Test trip to South Africa.

It comes after Wayne Smith, the All Blacks deputy who had been offered a long-term deal at Twickenham, decided to decline the RFU’s approach due to family reasons.

He becomes the second coach, after Andy Farrell – who opted to stay with Saracens after assisting England in the Six Nations – to refuse Lancaster’s request.

Some, therefore, may see Catt as a third-choice option but the Red Rose chief says he is not worried by those knockbacks and is confident the former Bath centre, who won the World Cup with England in 2003, will complement himself and Graham Rowntree in a three-man coaching group.

Catt, who hails from South Africa, played 75 Tests for his adopted country and Lancaster admitted: “I never realised those actually came over 12 years.

“He’s got a wealth of international experience, is from South Africa – which is beneficial for us on this tour – and I’ve liked what he’s brought to London Irish as a coach.

“He’s respected by players, is a good communicator and I think he’ll bring something different to us.”

A visionary player, Catt’s influence should certainly help bring out the best in England’s attacking options and, while his deal is only short-term, Lancaster says he has every chance of securing a permanent position.

“When I first took over as interim head coach, I’m sure people will have looked at CVs and felt theirs were potentially better than mine,” he said.

“But it’s about taking your opportunities when they come up and Catty’s clearly got that chance now to do the same sort of thing.

“We’ve got this South Africa tour coming up and I didn’t want to rush into a wrong decision.

“I want to take time to think about it once this tour is out of the way but Catty can show us what he can do.”

Lancaster took a phone call from Smith yesterday morning confirming he would not be joining his coaching staff.

“Wayne’s had a long, hard think about it and, after speaking with his family, while they would have supported his decision, probably – deep down – they didn’t want him to to do it,” he said.