It’s time for Nathan Catt to sparkle says Bath new boss Gary Gold

This is the season that loosehead Nathan Catt will stop being talked of as a potential talent and start becoming a senior player at Bath, according to Gary Gold.
The 24-year-old prop has long been touted as a future international after being a regular through the England age groups – with a call-up into the England Saxons squad coming this summer.
While Joe Marler and Alex Corbisiero, the two loosehead props ahead of him in the England set-up, have broken through at a younger age, Catt, left, has been managed carefully, with last season the first in which he reached double-figure starts.
However with Bath veteran David Flatman hanging up his boots at the end of the season the onus is on Catt to make the step up this season – something Gold fully expects him to do.
“He’s an impressive individual and what has most caught the eye is his work rate,” Gold told The Rugby Paper.
“He pretty much ticks all the boxes, he can carry well, he’s a strong defender and obviously his basics are good in the scrum, which is the most important thing.
“Paul James will be there as well this season so it will be a good battle but it’s a really exciting season for him.
“He’s ready now and it’s time for him to make that step-up and become a senior player at Bath. With a few of the older guys retiring, like David Flatman, it’s a great opportunity for him, and one I fully expect him to take.”
Gold’s arrival at Bath, with a complete overhaul of the coaching set-up, has already had an impact, with analysis and attention to detail the key watch words.
The South African defines his own credibility on his ability to prove to a player exactly why he wants them to do something. And while his methods contrast with his predecessor Sir Ian McGeechan at the Rec, Gold insists that the players have been receptive to his demands.
He added: “It’s been seven or so weeks now and I think it’s been tough but it’s gone very well. Ever since 2005 when I came over to the UK it’s been my philosophy to really look at analysing the players.
“It’s something that we are seeing more and more in professional sport and it’s inevitable that it will grow in rugby.
“It’s important to me because I want to be able to show the players what I think isn’t working and why, it’s not about saying what I think, it’s about showing them videos, GPS tracking results, heart-rate monitors to see what is working and what isn’t.
“This part of the game is coming, and we have to make sure we don’t get left behind at all.
“For me as a coach it’s important for my credibility, if I can show a player evidence of what they are doing and then what I want, they are much more likely to buy into it.
“At Bath a lot of money has been put in, and we have great resources at our disposal.
“That means that there is a lot at stake and I know the pressure we will face, but I feel that the players have really responded to what we are trying to do.”
PAUL EDDISON