Player Dossier - Mathew Tait

Senior Elite Debut 5/2/05 Wales v England

Articles: Robinson: Tait made me look silly

Destined for great things By Alan Hedley,The Newcastle Journal

Mat's my Boy - By Guy Basnet,The Newcastle Journal

* Tait will be the youngest player to represent England since Wilkinson came on as an 18-year-old replacement against Ireland in 1998.

* Younger brother Alex is also coming up in the England ranks with an Under-18s appearance on the cards this season

* A member of Barnard Castle school where Rob Andrew and the Underwood brothers, Rory and Tony, learned their early rugby.

* In July 2004, he was included in England's senior National Academy squad.

* His first taste of rugby was at Wolsingham Primary School.

Coming from the Falcons Academy of Players

England's Head Coach: Andy Robinson says.... "I have watched Mathew quite a bit and Phil Larder has been working with him a lot. What I like is his understanding and reading of the game and that is important, particularly in the No 13 position

England Captain Jason Robinson says......"He showed me how strong he is. He's been playing superbly for his club. I've played against him a couple of times this year and on that one occasion he really made me look silly.

Steve Black has a habit of being right. A few years ago, the Falcons fitness guru said that Jonny Wilkinson would become the world's best fly half. He was right and he says that "Mathew Tait will become the world's best rugby player".