Former Rugby World Cup winner Mike Catt has been appointed as senior assistant coach of the Fijian Drua men’s team ahead of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Fijian Drua confirmed his appointment on Thursday.
In a statement, Catt said he is looking forward to the oportunity.
“I’m very excited. I think what I’ve seen and how the Drua have performed in the past five years since they’ve started has been very impressive and it only looks like going forward, they are heading towards the right direction,” he said.
“To be part of something special and relatively new is very and it is the calibre of the players that I watch on a weekly basis for the past couple of years since I’ve been in Australia, is very impressive.
“One of the big reasons why I came is, I’ve never really coached a nation where rugby is their number one sport. And I love the game, it has taken me around the world, and I’ve had the most incredible journey and for me to give back to the people and make sure that we go to another level is crucial. This is very exciting to me.”
The former fly-half and centre was part of England’s historic 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning squad in Australia and also helped England reach the 2007 RWC Final.
Fijian Drua CEO Jeff Miller said Catt would bring a wealth of experience to the club.
“We are very excited to announce Mike as Brad’s senior assistant coach as he brings with him a wealth of coaching and playing experience. To have someone that has achieved so much as part of our coaching team is a great coup for our club and for Fiji!”
Catt brings more than a decade of international coaching experience to the Drua, having previously held coaching roles with England, Italy and Ireland, as well as extensive experience at club and Super Rugby level.
The 54-year-old most recently served as Attack Coach of the NSW Waratahs, joining the Sydney-based franchise ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season and spending two campaigns with the side.
Catt was a key member of Andy Farrell’s Ireland coaching team from 2020 to 2024, a period which saw Ireland winning a historic record against the All Blacks in New Zealand in 2024 and winning Six Nations grand slam titles twice.
He alsi served as Attack Coach with Italy from 2016, having previously been part of England’s coaching team between 2012 and 2015. He began his coaching career with London Irish, initially combining playing and coaching duties before moving into coaching full-time following his retirement.
Catt was also selected for two British & Irish Lions tours, travelling to South Africa in 1997 and Australia in 2001.
The Fijian Drua said they will make more annoucements of other appointments soon.
