Catt prepared for 'massive' task

England v South Africa
Stade de France, Paris
Friday, 14 September
Kick-off: 2000 BST
Live coverage on BBC Radio 5live & the BBC Sport website

England's Mike Catt says his team are ready for the massive challenge that awaits them against South Africa at the Stade de France on Friday night.

England go into the game on the back of their stuttering win over the USA and without a specialist fly-half.

"It's a massive ask, but in the same breath the players quietly believe that we are capable of doing it," Catt told BBC Radio 5live.

"We believe we have the capabilities if we get it right to turn them over."

The defending world champions have had a disrupted week, with suspended skipper Phil Vickery joining injured fly-halves Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley on the sidelines.

But despite all the distractions, Catt says his side are in a positive frame of mind ahead of the crucial match.

"You never say never, there's a possibility we can win it, it's an international rugby game," he added.

"I think the intensity this week has been much better, I think there have been a few changes and the players realise what a massive task we have on our hands.

"We're going in with a simple gameplan, if it works for the first 20 minutes then we'll carry on for the next 20, if it needs to be changed then we'll change it.

"We all understand where we're going which is a good thing, a good start. We haven't performed to what we are capable of doing, the players know that.

"We beat America but it wasn't pretty. Our execution over the past few games has been very poor and it's vital we get that right against South Africa because they are mega dangerous if they get any turnover ball."

Catt has said that he, rather than Andy Farrell, will play at fly-half.

The 35-year-old was originally named at inside centre, with Farrell selected at number 10, but he says the roles have been reversed.

Catt has plenty of experience at fly-half, but has evolved into a specialist centre in recent years and he said England will be looking to capitalise on the kicking skills of both himself and Farrell.

"Obviously with Andy's left foot, I think it's a vital part of our game," he added.

"It's a bit like myself and Olly (Barkley). We want to get us down in the right parts of the pitch and when we do that we can attack off it."

England coach Brian Ashton said he viewed the two players as being interchangeable in the role, saying: "As an educated guess, Catt will play 10 and Farrell 12.

"I see them both as inside backs, mixing and matching during the game. If I didn't think they could do it, I wouldn't have picked them."

Farrell has won all his six caps as a centre since his high-profile switch from rugby league, while Catt has won caps at full-back, centre, fly-half and even on the wing since making his England debut in 1994.

England will start with Farrell as their first-choice goal-kicker with replacement scrum-half Andy Gomarsall lined up as second choice should anything happen to the former Great Britain rugby league captain.

England: Robinson; Sackey, Noon, Farrell, Lewsey; Catt, Perry; Sheridan, Regan, Stevens; Shaw, Kay; Corry (capt), Rees, Easter.
Replacements: Chuter, Freshwater, Borthwick, Moody, Gomarsall, Richards, Tait.

South Africa: Montgomery; Pietersen, Fourie, Steyn, Habana; James, Du Preez; Du Randt, Smit (capt), BJ Botha, Bakkies Botha, Matfield, Van Heerden, Smith, Rossouw.
Replacements: Du Plessis, Van der Linde, Muller, Skinstad, Pienaar, Pretorius, Olivier.

Source: BBC Sport