Back scare may force Catt to miss South Africa tour

With England unable to select 29 players involved in the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup finals, which take place the week before the First Test in Bloemfontein on 26 May, head coach Brian Ashton is anxious to include Catt in his squad, to be announced on Tuesday.

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But while the chance of leading his adopted country to the land of his birth is a unique opportunity, Catt is looking at the wider picture. He said: "From a purely selfish point of view, the chance to captain England in South Africa would be brilliant. The Tests are going to be a massive challenge and they are a huge opportunity for those players who are chosen to tour.

"But I haven't been able to play for five or six weeks because of my back and I will speak to Brian [Ashton] about the right thing to do.

"A few decisions have to be made and I need to see where, physically. I am. It's all about making the right decision."

Ashton will want Catt's boundless enthusiasm in an England line-up that faces successive weekends against a Springbok side they will face again in the World Cup pool matches in September.

Catt led England to Six Nations victory against France and then defeat in Wales when Ashton named him as replacement for injured Phil Vickery.

His influence in both games was vital and Ashton sees him as a natural conduit for the style of rugby he wants England to play.

Having been part of the 2003 World Cup-winning team, Catt is, injury permitting, guaranteed a place in the squad to defend the crown in France.

Catt, a native of Port Elizabeth, said: "All I wanted was the opportunity to play for England again because I knew I was capable performing the way Brian wanted and was confident I could still do it at Test level.

"In terms of the England captaincy, in my mind it's a case of whatever is best for the team and it would be great to be offered it again."

With Irish guaranteed sixth place and qualification for the Heineken Cup - if English teams call off their boycott - the main Guinness Premiership focal points in the capital tomorrow will be London Wasps and Saracens.

Wasps have to win at Leicester to have a chance of making the play-off semi-finals. The two teams will meet again in the Heineken Cup Final at Twickenham on 20 May and both have discovered they will only receive just 9,000 tickets each for the game.

This is because the majority of the 82,000 tickets had already been sold to the public before the finalists were known.

Back in the Premiership, Sarries need to avoid defeat at Worcester to keep their hopes alive.

The bad news for Saracens is Worcester know that, barring a mathematical miracle, victory tomorrow will guarantee the Sixways club another season in the top-flight and condemn Northampton to relegation.

Worcester boss John Brain is confident his men can spoil Saracens' day. He said: "We know if we win, we will more than likely stay up. We always felt it was going to come down to this, the last game of the season, but the guys are in a confident mood.

"They are all looking forward to this game. It will be a full house and a game that really matters.

"We have to assume Northampton will win their game. We just need to concentrate on our own game and produce a real performance.

"This is the type of game that players and coaches should be up for and ready to experience - you have got to look forward to it."

The match will see flanker Richard Hill try to convince England boss Brian Asthon he is ready for a Test recall for the South Africa clashes.

Hill - who has recovered from extensive knee surgery - is a key figure in a a Saracens team that also includes England centre Andy Farrell and former test prop Kevin Yates.

Harlequins are home to reigning champions Sale when former captain Andre Vos plays his final game before returning to South Africa.