Former England international Mike Catt set to join Ireland's coaching panel post World Cup

Former England international and World Cup winner Mike Catt is set to join Ireland's coaching panel at the conclusion of the World Cup in Japan later this year according to reports.

With Joe Schmidt stepping down post the showpiece event in Japan, Andy Farrell will step up as the head coach, Simon Easterby as forwards coach and John Fogarty as scrum coach. Catt will be the attack coach while Richie Murphy will be the skills coach. The announcement of Catt's signing is set to come in the coming days according to a report in The Irish Independent.

Catt's arrival will also see a reunion of him with Farrell after both of them worked under Stuart Lancaster for England following which the 47-year-old joined Italy as an assistant coach.

Catt has featured in 75 Tests for the red rose team between 1994 and 2007 and has also made a solitary appearance for the British and Irish Lions in 1997. Born in South Africa, Catt also featured in two World Cup finals for England in 2003 - which was also their maiden title win and in 2007.

He has also made over 300 domestic appearances spread across Bath Rugby and London Irish scoring close to 900 points.

His coaching career started with London Irish when he joined them as an attack coach in 2008 and worked under Lancaster for England as a backs coach before joining Italy as an attack coach under Conor O'Shea.

Ireland will kick-start their World Cup campaign with a clash against Scotland on 22nd September and will also face host Japan, Russia and Samoa later in the tournament.