Latest Rugby Union 09-08-2012

[MacSporran]

Catt close to England role

Mike Catt is on course to be named in England's management team, according to head coach Stuart Lancaster.



Catt was not at England's pre-season camp which ended on Wednesday - but Lancaster has revealed he is hoping to finalise a long-term deal for the 2003 World Cup winner.

He told reporters: "I'm seeing him next week and am hopeful that that will progress soon.

"The players enjoyed working with him and he helped them in lots of little ways."

Catt will work alongside forwards coach Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell, who is back with England after having second thoughts about extending his contract with Saracens.

Farrell's absence during the recent three-Test tour to South Africa opened the door for Catt.

However, the pair are poised to have different roles in the England set-up - with Farrell working on the team's defence and Catt concentrating on the attack.

Lancaster added: "I'm of a mindset that I don't want to be too stretched.

"I want to make sure I give the players the best support possible to be as good as they can be."

The fruits of their early labours will be on show in November with a match against Fiji, before encounters against the world's top three teams - Australia, South Africa and New Zealand - on successive weekends.

[MacSporran]

Seymour to skipper Sale

Sale flanker Dave Seymour will skipper the Sharks for their 2012/13 campaign.



Seymour replaces Sam Tuitupou in the role, with the former All Black dropping down to vice-captain.

And the 27-year-old, who is in his fourth season with the club, is delighted to be handed the responsibility.

"It's a massive honour especially when you look at the strength of players we have in the squad," he said."

It was a great honour and privilege to be asked to do the role and I am very excited about the prospect of captaining the side next season.

"It probably helps that I filled in as captain at the start of last season when Sammy was unavailable for the first few weeks. It was the first time I'd really captained a side and it was a great experience and I was very lucky to have great help from the likes of Mark Cueto, Nick Macleod and Dwayne Peel.

"It helps massively having guys of that calibre around me. To be selected for the role when there are such guys in the mix is a huge thing for me personally. The strength of experience and personality we have in the squad means that I think will have a lot of leaders out there and I'd be stupid not to take on board their views and experience.

"It's a big responsibility and big role but I will just try to get out there and play the way I always have. Last season was a good one for the club and I felt I went well but that's been and gone and all the focus now is about the next nine months ahead of us.

"We're a young team and one that is still learning but I have every confidence in the guys we have in the squad."

[MacSporran]

Schofield to skipper Warriors

Worcester have named summer signing Dean Schofield as their new captain for the forthcoming season.



The 33-year-old lock, who spent nine years in the Premiership with Sale before joining French side Toulon in 2010, only made the move to Sixways in the close season.

But he has impressed head coach Richard Hill enough to be handed the armband.

"Dean is a fantastic player and from his time at Sale Sharks and Toulon, where I know people, I know he is an exceptional leader," Hill told the club's official site.

"On the field he adds a huge physical presence and will look to lead from the front. Off the field he will be a superb ambassador for this club."

Schofield himself admitted it was a "huge honour" to be handed the role.

"It's a relatively new side with a lot of changes in the squad but there is a real positivity ahead of the new season," added Schofield.

"This season is all about performing on the field - I will do everything I can to ensure that happens."