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Video evidence of Mathew Tait's undoubted ability as he announces retirement


Leicester Tigers full-back Matt Tait
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Former England centre Mathew Tait has retired from rugby with immediate effect after suffering from a persistent Achilles injury this season that has prevented him from playing for Leicester.

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The 33-year-old is the third youngest player to represent England post-war, after making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2005 against Wales.

He was once regarded as one of the brightest prospects in English rugby, but unfortunately had a career blighted by injury that prevented him from becoming the player many thought he would be. He still won 36 caps for England, nonetheless.

Now that he has retired, here are the greatest moments over his career:

This game in 2008 displayed everything that was good about Tait’s game. Playing at fullback for Newcastle, where he was equally as comfortable, he ran a searing line to cut through the Saracens defence and scored.

A try-saving tackle also showed how reliable he was in defence, something that he never lost throughout his career.

This try-saving tackle will not only go down as one of Tait’s best tackles, but one of the best tackles in recent history.

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Although Tait perhaps lost a yard or two of pace throughout his career, he still showed great speed to catch up with Dan Robson last season, and prevent Leicester’s bitter rivals Wasps from scoring.

This run by Tait in the 2007 World Cup final was the first real glimpse the rugby world got to see what Tait was capable of.

Although a try was never scored, the 21-year-old Tait announced himself on the biggest stage of them all with this devastating run through the heart of the South African defence.

This showed what Tait was capable of, and many England fans will be disappointed that he could never reach his full potential in white.

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Watch: Eddie Jones – ‘Wales deserved to win’

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Phantom 34 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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