Mathew Tait – Player Profile
Mathew James Murray Tait plays rugby for the English rugby union. He plays or has played the positions of centre, fullback or wing for the teams like Sale Sharks, Newcastle Falcons, England and Leicester Tigers.
Tait was born in February 1986 in Shotley Bridge, England. He attended the Barnard Castle School and played for their rugby team. He also played the Under-16 and Under-18 tournaments while studying.
While he was still in Barnard Castle School, he was drafted to play for the Under-19 and Under-21 teams. His official rugby career started in 2004 with the Newcastle Falcons. He was still completing his Advanced Level studies when he played for England rugby
union during the Zurich Premiership tournament against the London Irish team. In the same year Tait played for the English in England's rugby sevens tournament. In December 2004, he helped the team win the Dubai Sevens cup.
Mathew Tait made his name when he was selected by Andy Robinson for England’s team in the Six Nations 2005. His attendance in the tournament was controversial because of his young age. Thanks to England’s loss to Wales by 11-9 and Tait’s poor game, he was
left out of the national team. At the same time Tait was part of the team for the England A squad. Under this squad, the team won against Argentina in the Churchill Cup in 2005.
His presence however continued on in several Test matches and Rugby Sevens games. The 2006 England’s Rugby Sevens was a pivotal season for Tait. He came out to as a top scorer in the tournament as well as grabbibg nine tries in the series and helping England
come out in second place. His contract was extended with the Falcons after the stupendous performances.
Tait made the English squad for the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2007 becoming one of the youngest players to play with England. His show in the RWC earned him high praise most especially to his performance in the match with Tonga.
He further proved his standing in the Six Nations 2008, where he helped England score a win of 33-10 against the Irish. In the middle of the 2008 season Tait shifted to the team Sale Sharks. He earned the position of fullback for the team. The Sharks played
in the Guinness Premiership title of the year 2008-2009. Although Tait was initially injured during the Premiership, he recovered in time to play as the outside centre in the rest of the Premiership games. His performance as the centre earned him a place in
the English squads for Tests with the Barbarians as well as Argentina in 2008-2009 season.
Coach Martin Johnson took over the English team in 2008. Under his team of 32 men, selected in 2009, Tait made his presence as the outside centre. This squad played in the Six Nations 2010 against Wales and the team finished at the number three spot that
year.
However, the 2010 season ended for the player due to an injury and he was unable to play with the Sharks. He got better to play in October 2010 but the injury once again came back in November. Further, he was additionally hindered by a dislocated shoulder
in January 2011 and finally he was left with no choice but to leave the Sharks.
While undergoing recovery at Midlands for his dislocated shoulder and previous knee injury, the player was approached by the Leicester Tigers. Tait ultimately joined the Tigers as confirmed on July 14. He will play the rest of the 2011 season and the upcoming
2012 season.
The 38 times capped English player has joined up with the Tigers and now faces the RWC 2011. The versatile player has participated in games with the likes of the Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks under the English rugby union. He has experience in playing at
the fullback, outside centre and the wing positions. However, his strength is playing at the outside centre.
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