London Irish have announced that Mike Catt will make his final club and Guinness Premiership playing appearance in next Saturday's match with Northampton Saints at Madejski Stadium (kick-off 3.00pm).
The World Cup winner, who originally joined the Exiles in 2004, has made an outstanding contribution to the progress of the club. Over the past six seasons he has made 95 appearances as a fly half or inside centre in domestic and European competitions and scored 99 points, including eight tries.
He was the club's Player of the Season in 2006 and received the RPA Players' Player of the Season award in the same year. Last year he was awarded with the O2 Special Merit Award at the RPA Rugby Players awards.
Mike (38) made 75 international appearances for England including two Rugby World Cup finals (2003 and 2007). He also played for the British and Irish Lions. He was awarded the MBE in 2003.
London Irish Head Coach, Toby Booth said, "London Irish has been privileged to have Mike Catt wear its colours for the past six seasons. He has been pivotal to the progress we have made in this country and Europe.
"On behalf of everyone at the club I want to say 'thank you' to Mike for his outstanding contribution as a player. He is an inspirational sportsman and we look forward to working with him as he continues the transition into what we're sure will be a very successful coaching career with us."
"I hope to help the club maintain the progress it has made in recent seasons and compete successfully in the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup.
"I would like to thank all the players, coaches, sponsors, supporters and my family who have encouraged me throughout my playing career."
