| Mathew Tait |
Article Index for Mathew |
Website Links For Mathew |
Information AboutMathew Tait |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT MATHEW TAIT | |
| 1986 births | |
| tait, mathew | |
| living people | |
| english rugby union footballers | |
| rugby union centres | |
|
He attended Barnard Castle School, he led Barnard Castle 1st XV to the Daily Mail Cup Final for two succesive years, which has also produced England internationals Rob Andrew , Rory Underwood , and Tony Underwood . Mathew's younger brother, Alex, may soon follow in his footsteps; Alex is currently in the Falcons' Academy and England U18s as a Fullback/Centre. In 2002 , he was capped as Outside Centre by England U16 then U18. This was where he was spotted by the National Academy manager, Brian Ashton , who selected him for the Junior National Academy in 2003-04. Because of Ashton’s belief in his pace, power and eye for a gap, the 18 year old was fast tracked straight into the Senior National Academy. Newcastle Falcons signed the centre on contract in April 2004 while he was still finishing his A levels, in which he achieved 3 A's. In May 2004 he made his debut in a Zurich Premiership game against London Irish and scored a try with his first touch of the ball. Tait has also played for England's Rugby Sevens Team , he was a member of the side that won the Dubai Sevens in December 2004 . Tait gained media attention when Andy Robinson named him in the England starting XV for their opening 2005 Six Nations Championship game, against Wales on February 5 . The game itself, which England lost 11-9, did not go well for Tait. He failed to make an impact either in offence or defence and was the victim of a number of big tackles from Gavin Henson before eventually being replaced. At 18 years old he is the second-youngest player to play for England since World War II , only his Newcastle team-mate Jonny Wilkinson played at a younger age. He was dropped after the game and has yet to regain his place in the England squad. During his absence from the test squad, Tait has been a regular member of England's Rugby Sevens Team . He starred at the sevens tournament in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne , finishing as the tournament's top try-scorer, with 9 tries, as he helped England to the silver medal. EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|