CLUB Newcastle Falcons
POSITION Centre/Wing
Honours:
England U/19 World Cup 2004 - Durban South Africa
England Sevens 2004
IRB Sevens 2004-2005 - England - Dubai and George (Dec`05)
Mathew Tait played a key role in England winning the silver medal in the Commonwealth Games Sevens in March last year with try hat tricks against Sri Lanka and Samoa, together with two tries in the semi final against Fiji. He had won his first Sevens cap in Dubai in 2004-05. Mathew made his England Test debut against Wales in Cardiff in February 2005 on the eve of his 19th birthday, added caps in the starting line up as a centre and wing against Australia last June and has won another six since.
Educated at Barnard Castle School, he was a member of the highly successful England squad for the Churchill Cup the summer before last and appeared in the final against Argentina. He marked his Premiership debut against London Irish in May 2004 at the age of 18 years 86 days by scoring a try with his first touch of the ball. Mat came to prominence after playing for England Schools, Under-18s and Under-16s and recently signed a new one year contract with the Falcons. He returned to action last autumn following six weeks’ absence through a slight tear of a knee cartilage that required surgery.
Did you know?
Mathew appeared for an England XV in both the past two matches against the Barbarians at Twickenham, figuring as a replacement for Paul Sackey in the 52-39 defeat in 2005 and then starting at centre when England avenged that defeat with a 46-19 victory the following year. It pointed the way to his Test return in matches against Australia after a 16-month absence. A former Consett player, he joined Newcastle Falcons in 2003.
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