Matthew Tait Retires

[Mikey Brown]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47374956

Not a big shock I don't think, but I thought it was worth a mention.

He appeared exactly as I found an interest in rugby and thought he'd have 100 caps by now. It rarely works out that way, and I'm not sure he ever really found his best spot, but he had some great moments.

[twitchy]

Yeah he was so exciting when he first appeared. Had that thing a it like marcus smith does now of a lad playing a mans game if that makes sense.

[francoisfou]

My lasting memory of Mathew Tait is from one his last games, against Wasps last season when he made in awesome try-saving tackle on Dan Robson. He was a wonderful servant to the game who sadly never reached the very top, but would surely have done so without his long list of unfortunate injuries.

[Banquo]

He'd have been a star winger imo.

[Banquo]

Btw Mikey, another climbdown required. Just the one T in Mathew.

[Mikey Brown]

No. I don't like it. Seeing it written 'Mat' makes me feel nauseous.

I don't care what it says on his birth certificate.

[Banquo]

No. I don't like it. Seeing it written 'Mat' makes me feel nauseous.

I don't care what it says on his birth certificate.

so how do you feel about the lack of passing in our midfield and recalling Ben Morgan?

[Mikey Brown]

I think Slade should retire. Tait should be given the ball more in a position to use his skills and Morgan should be deployed in a Sinbad/Daly roving winger type capacity. Happy?

[Digby]

My abiding memory of Morgan in an England shirt is watching him line up Habana who was propped over the ball at a breakdown and utterly fail to shift the winger who'd have been god knows how many kilos lighter. You could try and stick Morgan on the wing to hide his lack of physicality, but you'd certainly expose his work ethic, and I don't know you'd hide the lack of a physical edge either

[Banquo]

I think Slade should retire. Tait should be given the ball more in a position to use his skills and Morgan should be deployed in a Sinbad/Daly roving winger type capacity. Happy?

You seem to be the one who needs cheering up

[Mellsblue]

The break in the 2009 World Cup that ultimate led to that try the Cueto 100% scored will live with me for a long time. Ridiculously gifted but terribly managed/advised.

[Banquo]

The break in the 2009 World Cup that ultimate led to that try the Cueto 100% scored will live with me for a long time. Ridiculously gifted but terribly managed/advised.

No wonder the break looked so easy, no oppo in 2009.

[Mellsblue]

The break in the 2009 World Cup that ultimate led to that try the Cueto 100% scored will live with me for a long time. Ridiculously gifted but terribly managed/advised.

No wonder the break looked so easy, no oppo in 2009.

In my defence, I didn’t say it would live factually correctly in the memory.

[Banquo]

The break in the 2009 World Cup that ultimate led to that try the Cueto 100% scored will live with me for a long time. Ridiculously gifted but terribly managed/advised.

No wonder the break looked so easy, no oppo in 2009.

In my defence, I didn’t say it would live factually correctly in the memory.

Winning the RWC in 2007 would have been the greatest LOL moment of all time though.

[Mellsblue]

No wonder the break looked so easy, no oppo in 2009.

In my defence, I didn’t say it would live factually correctly in the memory.

Winning the RWC in 2007 would have been the greatest LOL moment of all time though.

Shaun Perry MBE

[Banquo]

In my defence, I didn’t say it would live factually correctly in the memory.

Winning the RWC in 2007 would have been the greatest LOL moment of all time though.

Shaun Perry MBE

Andy Farrell RWC winner...one up on his son

[p/d]

A fine, fine player. A gentleman on the pitch and no doubt a gentleman off it.

Many fond memories and, but for injury, would have surely amassed more caps. Class in attack and defence.

Jones the c*** should do the right thing and give him a run v Italy.

[fivepointer]

Huge talent that never really showed his sustained best due to poor management, shifting position and poor luck with injuries. Felt when I first saw him that he would develop into something very special. Never quite worked out that way.

[Mikey Brown]

"Taity" makes me feel about as queasy as "Mat" but there's a couple of good bits in here. I know it's over a few years but I didn't actually remember him being a particularly prominent attacker with Tigers, but really developed his passing skills and positionally was very useful. A few good steps in there too.

[Mellsblue]

Jones the c*** should do the right thing and give him a run v Italy.

At which position?

[Mikey Brown]

Fly-half.

[Galfon]

Peter Richards, flanker in the final..1 up on Nowell!
Tait had another wavy break deep in the 2nd half that could have led to a score I recall...so close, at least he was there and played to the top of his game.
He will also be remembered for getting Tango'd on debut at Cardiff, when he was still a wee teenager.

[Digby]

My favourite Tait moment came in the sevens in 2005 I think, he'd been on all match and still had it in him to gas Billy Ryder fresh off the bench which is extraordinary lung busting stuff

[Puja]

He will also be remembered for getting Tango'd on debut at Cardiff, when he was still a wee teenager.

He was called up way too early and I think it knocked back his career, especially since Robinson followed up that magnificient bit of decision-making by promptly dropping him for the entire squad. Should've been Ollie Smith for that Wales game, whose career also suffered from the wrong decision, as he was in tremendous form, but got ignored for stodge from there on out as Robinson wouldn't pick an exciting centre again after getting burned once.

I hold a grudge.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

He will also be remembered for getting Tango'd on debut at Cardiff, when he was still a wee teenager.

He was called up way too early and I think it knocked back his career, especially since Robinson followed up that magnificient bit of decision-making by promptly dropping him for the entire squad. Should've been Ollie Smith for that Wales game, whose career also suffered from the wrong decision, as he was in tremendous form, but got ignored for stodge from there on out as Robinson wouldn't pick an exciting centre again after getting burned once.

I hold a grudge.

Puja

You can see him attempt to be diplomatic about it here.