Mike Catt input can steer me to top says Luther Burrell

Luther Burrell racked up a Premiership final appearance and an England debut in his first season with Northampton – but the centre insists working with Mike Catt has opened his eyes on how to go better still.
Having arrived at Franklin's Gardens from Sale Sharks last summer Burrell and his 6ft 3in, 17st 2lb frame made an instant impact as he went over for three tries in his first four outings.
And Burrell, 24, did not stop there as he helped power Saints to their first ever Premiership final, starting the 37-17 loss to Leicester Tigers.
His form was not only turning heads in Northampton but also with England as head coach Stuart Lancaster added the centre to his squad for the tour of Uruguay and Argentina just days after the semi-final victory over Saracens.
Lancaster and Burrell go way back, having worked together at Leeds Carnegie, but the Saint used his time in South America to develop another relationship in the England camp. World Cup winner Catt was in his usual role as attacking skills coach and watched on as Burrell made his Red Rose senior debut in a victory against the Consur XV in Montevideo.
And Burrell admits his time with England – especially the minutes working with Catt – have shown him what he needs to do to ensure his moment on the international stage is not a fleeting one.
“When I got the call from Stuart it came as a big surprise because I was just driving down the motorway and I saw who it was ringing and I thought he just wanted to call to say well done from the semi-final because I know him pretty well from my Leeds days,” he said.
“But when he told me I would be going to Argentina I had to pull right over in the left-hand lane and slow down and it came as a huge surprise but obviously a great one.
“Stuart told me to keep it under wraps which was hard because I not only wanted to tell my friends and family but I also had the final to look forward to and I didn't want anything to get in the way of that because I'd dreamt of playing in that game, too.
“There was a great bunch of lads out there and the experience was fantastic and being in that environment made me even hungrier to get there again.
“I already had a great relationship with Stuart having worked with him previously but I also grew a strong relationship with Mike Catt as he was absolutely superb with me in terms of my skills and development.
“Mike looked after the backs and I already had a lot of admiration for him as a rugby player but that has grown as a coach, too, because he gave me plenty of little things to work on as a player that I will take back to Northampton.
“The main thing he told me was in international rugby your reaction speed is a lot quicker and you don't have as much time to think so I have taken that on board and with England building towards 2015 I want to remain part of that and I am certain Mike's little intricacies will help me do that.”
Burrell was known for adding both pace and power to the Northampton backs next year, but is set to have competition for that mantle with Lions hero George North set to strut his stuff at Franklin's Gardens next campaign. But that is fine by Burrell as he is eager to team up with the new Saint as the club bid to go one step further this time around.
“Watching George North on TV and what he did with the Lions was fantastic and it will be awesome having him on board this season,” he added.
“Hopefully, we can get the ball in his hands, play some expansive rugby and get him under the posts because I know everyone is itching to get going again and try to go one better.
“We lost key players but have also brought in some key players and I've faith in the squad and the coaching staff that we can do just that.”
BEN BAKER