ENGLAND rugby union legend Mike Catt hailed the sporting potential of York St John University during a tour of their Haxby Road base.

The former England international, now part of Stuart Lancaster elite backroom team, visited the university’s 57-acre sports ground and joined in a pre-season training session.

Catt, a 75-time international and World Cup winner in 2003, was in York as part of a three-day tour of the region in his ambassadorial role for Yorkshire Bank.

“I am delighted to have had the opportunity to be at the launch of the pre-season training at York St John at what is gearing up to be an exciting year of sport for the university,” he said.

“I have also witnessed some real potential among the sports teams and I wish them every success in their studies and future in sport."

Prof Andy Smith, head of sports performance and participation, said: “To complement our multi-million sports development at Haxby Road, we are putting in place coaching, fitness and conditioning, sports science and sports therapy for our student athletes.

“It has been fantastic for us to be able to show Mike the scope of our plans and also the talent of our sports students.”