Are Bristol making a move for Mike Catt?

Transfer activity?
By Duncan Wood
June 17 2002

Two names have been linked with Bristol in recent days although neither has been confirmed by the club. The first is All Black Daryl Gibson and the second, even more intriguingly, is Bath and England fly half, Mike Catt.

So, what are the pros and cons of this particular rumour? Let's look at why it wouldn't happen.

Well, firstly (and it's stating the obvious) but Mike Catt has spent the best part of 10 years at Bath. Bristol supporters have had a pretty long time to build up a dislike of the guy and vice versa. Players who make the move down the A4 (in either direction) do so at their own peril.

He is also due a testimonial at Bath in the next season or so. Now that could be very lucrative for him. He would have to take that into account when deciding whether to move or not.

There's also the Jack Rowell factor. Catt's Bath career began under Rowell as did his England career. Rowell will not have moved back to Bath with the intention of letting one of his most experienced players move on. Rowell and Michael Foley want to keep him.

So, why might this move take place?

To begin with, if you believe the rumours, there has been a major difference in opinions between player and club. Catt is believed to be less than impressed with the way he's been treated and is ready to go.

Bath are rumoured to be struggling to meet the salary cap. They may be tempted to accept a bid to take the player off the payroll. Stranger things have happened.

Playing for Bristol would mean that Catt would not have to relocate. This would be an immediate advantage that the Shoguns would have over Leeds for example. Bristol are also in the Heineken Cup next season and he'll be wanting to play on the big stage.

Bristol have also got an exciting set of young backs. He may well be tempted by the prospect of helping to being the best out of them.

Finally, Catt is a friend of Malcolm Pearce dating back to when Catt first joined Bath and Pearce gave him a job. I'm sure Malcolm can be very persuasive!

Bath will probably pull out the stops to keep him at the Rec. A club statement over the weekend didn't exactly communicate to Bristol that they'd be wating their time making a bid for the player:

“Mike is under contract for another year at Bath Rugby. If Malcolm Pearce and Bristol are interested in Mike then perhaps they should make official contact with the club.”

Watch this space...