Mike Catt never stopped believing he had a role to play in England’s bid to lift the World Cup.
The versatile Bath centre has spent two years on his ‘lonely road’ back into the side after a string of injuries that have prevented him starting an international game since facing South Africa in November 2001.
Once derided as the player Jonah Lomu trampled all over in the 1995 semi-final, he worked his way back into the midfield heart of the side.
Then his international career looked over two years ago when a string of injuries kept him out of action and he was then forced to play when less than fully fit when Bath were bumping along the bottom of the Zurich Premiership.
A summer’s rest was Clive Woodward’s prescription and the brief sightings of Catt in the tournament so far indicate the treatment has worked.
“It’s been a lot of hard work and it’s been a pretty lonely road over the last two years,” said Catt.
“But I never lost sight of the ultimate goal of playing for England at the World Cup.
“Rugby’s a funny sport. I’ve had injuries for the last two or three years but I’ve come through them and I’m thoroughly enjoying it at the moment. I’m also enjoying a different outlook on life after the birth of my daughter last year.
“A lot of people wrote me off two months ago. That’s why I say it’s a fickle sport. But rugby’s been everything to me.”
His nine-minute cameo against Samoa saw him create Phil Vickery’s first Test try, a longer run-out against Uruguay brought two scores of his own and he added a refreshing sense of purpose to the second half revival against Wales to complete the comeback.
England’s first-choice midfield of Wilkinson, Tindall and Greenwood has been a settled one for the last two seasons. Catt, though, adds to the options as another playmaker to ease the burden on the fly-half.
“Jonny Wilkinson handles pressure exceptionally well and there’s been a phenomenal amount put on him for the last couple of games,” said Catt.
“But I hope I can take a bit of the heat off him so he can roam the field a bit more.
“And maybe I can bring a bit of freshness. The side’s done exceptionally well for the last two years and done well to lose only about one in 20 games but maybe I can bring something fresh.”
He is grateful for another chance to reach the final after losing out to Lomu at Newlands in 1995, although simply facing the in-form French will be enough to get him going on Sunday.
“The All Blacks took us by storm that day but if anything that game helped me get to the top of the tree,” he said.
“I’m very fortunate to have another chance again and it’s great to have this opportunity. I don’t think we’re going to need motivation like that on Sunday though.”
