England World Cup-winner Mike Catt has agreed a new two-year contract to continue with London Irish as a player-coach.
The 35-year-old outhalf will take on a role as the Exiles' backs coach as he begins to look at life beyond his playing career.
Former Bath player Catt joined Irish in 2004 and has been one of the Guinness Premiership club's most influential players since, playing 60 games and scoring 66 points.
He even earned a recall to the England squad this year and captained his country in two matches in the Six Nations Championship. Catt said: "I've enjoyed my rugby at London Irish and am really looking forward to the change of role. For me, moving into coaching is a natural progression and I'm pleased to have the opportunity of doing so with London Irish. We've a very talented set of young backs with the potential to make a real impact at European and international level, it will be rewarding to play a part in helping them to get there."
Irish director of rugby Brian Smith added: "Mike's contribution to this club over the past three seasons has been enormous.
"He is a world-class player who has shown that he has the skills to continue to compete at the highest international level."
Meanwhile, South Africa's injury woes ahead of tomorrow's Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand have increased after loose forwards Juan Smith and Pierre Spies were ruled out of the match. Smith was in the team announced on Wednesday but Springbok coach Jake White said yesterday the flanker would not play because of the bruised thigh he sustained in Saturday's 22-19 win over Australia in Cape Town.
White also confirmed that number eight Spies was out with a knee injury. "I would rather not have players going into the game 70 or 80 per cent fit," White added.
"You have to be at your best to play against the All Blacks."
White said Smith would be replaced by Danie Rossouw, while Bob Skinstad would come in for Spies. Loose forward Pedrie Wannenburg has been called up to the bench.
South Africa were forced to make two changes to their front row after captain and hooker John Smit and loosehead Gurthro Steenkamp were injured against Australia.
Toulouse flanker Thierry Dusautoir has replaced injured number eight Elvis Vermeulen in France's 30-man World Cup squad, the French team said yesterday. Dusautoir (26) has won three caps for France, the last in a 47-3 defeat by New Zealand last November in Lyon. Clermont forward Vermeulen pulled out on Saturday because he required surgery on a slipped disc.
n The Ireland A winger Andrew Maxwell, has joined Edinburgh on a two-year contract, subject to medical. Maxwell played in the Churchill Cup, for Ireland A, and represented Ireland in the World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong in 2005. He joins from Ulster where he scored 17 tries in 40 matches, the first and last of his tries and appearances for Ulster were against Edinburgh.
