Video evidence of Mathew Tait's undoubted ability as he announces retirement
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.
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.
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.
Watch: Eddie Jones - 'Wales deserved to win'
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ALB has had many a start in big matches for ABs and has never put his stamp on the game Tupaea got the start in 22 against Ireland before injured and he struggled a tad too neither had outstanding SR seasons one thing Jordie an Reiko ain’t leaking breaks and tries at all in multiple big games
Go to commentsI’ll see how Aus go against Scotland and Ireland!
They have beaten the worst Welsh side ever and pipped England in OT
They do look attractive to watch I admit but got smashed by the Welsh scrum last week
Look at the areas of focus for Razor and Ryan
Huge player development in the ABs and ABs XV
One might argue that the only scrum more dominant is the Boks? And that wasn’t clear in SA until the bomb squad came on
The bench has been somewhat rectified since then
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