Teen star Tait faces moment of destiny

Mathew Tait. Picture / Reuters

It was perhaps the trickiest moment so far in Mathew Tait's fledgling career. His coaches and playing colleagues all confirm that the 18-year-old has shown no nerves during his lightning progression from the playing fields of Barnard Castle School to the England training ground in preparation for his debut against Wales in the Six Nations championship tomorrow.

Now, however, there appeared to be more than a hint of anxiety on the young man's face as he confronted a line of fearsome-looking individuals, men who have looked unflinchingly into the eyes of many a sporting legend.

Andy Robinson, England's head coach, sensed the problem. "I'm sorry, guys," he said.

"We don't like you right in our faces. I'd rather you were right back out of the way. Otherwise we'll just move even further back if you're going to carry on. It's your choice."

Tait will no doubt be hoping that the Welsh defence retreat as promptly as the phalanx of photographers he faced on his first appearance before the national media. Twenty-four hours after learning that he would become the second-youngest England debutant for 78 years - his club colleague Jonny Wilkinson was younger when he came on as a replacement against Ireland seven years ago - the Newcastle Falcons flyer was given a taste of the public scrutiny he will face for years to come should only half the hype that has surrounded him in the last week become reality.

If the nerves were understandable in front of a roomful of journalists in a Bagshot hotel, Tait did nothing to contradict the view of him as a well-balanced individual coping admirably with the prospect of an international career despite having played fewer than 20 games for his club.

Twelve months ago he was studying for his A-levels (he achieved A grades in biology, geography and sports studies) and it was not until the end of last season that he made his Newcastle debut, scoring a try against London Irish.

"It's a fantastic opportunity that's been presented to me," he said, sitting alongside Robinson.

"I'm just grateful for that. Now I've got to prove I'm worth that position in the team."

Did he ever feel nerves? "A little bit, just like anyone else," Tait said. "But a game's a game. I've just got to get on with it. I try to treat every game the same. You have to work hard at your skills and believe that they're good enough to carry you through. As long as you know within yourself that you've worked hard enough at them then there's no need to be nervous."

Robinson confirmed that Tait has quickly settled into life with the national team.

"I haven't seen any nerves from him," he said. "He's fitted in tremendously well. His age doesn't come into my thoughts at all. Mathew's been picked because he's an outstanding rugby player and he's been playing tremendously well this year. I've got no doubts about how he'll cope on Saturday." The presence in Bagshot of Wilkinson, England's injured captain, has assisted the settling-in process.

"Jonny's been a great help," Tait said. "He's briefed me on what to expect with the media and with other pressures. He was in the same position a few years ago - and he's not done badly since. Jonny's a fantastic role model to follow."

Tait agrees that it should also help having his club colleague, Jamie Noon, alongside him at inside centre, the Newcastle pair having won the vote following the injuries that ruled out Mike Tindall, Will Greenwood and Stuart Abbott.

At 25 and with only five caps to his name, Noon, who is rooming with Tait, is hardly an old hand.

"I'm trying to help him as much as I can but at the same time I'm having to make sure I do myself justice," Noon said. "Probably the most important thing I've been able to do is to tell him, 'You never know how long you are going to be here, so enjoy it while you can'."

Is Tait as nerveless as everyone claims? "I think he is," Noon said. "This is all new to him, but he's taken it all in his stride. The way he plays is refreshing to me. He inspires everyone around him. Things that might have been a problem or a source of stress to others in the past just don't trouble him. On the field he just has a go."

Raised in County Durham, Tait came to the fore with the National Academy and at Barnard Castle School, which also produced the Underwood brothers and Rob Andrew, his director of rugby at Newcastle.

"I played in a variety of positions at school - fullback, wing, centre, fly-half," Tait said. "But at the age group levels, from 16 upwards, I've always played at No 13. It's my preferred position."

"The No 13 position has been an area that we have been looking at," Robinson said. "Mike Tindall has done a great job ... but I think the team has been lacking a little bit in terms of that little bit of extra pace that Mathew can give us."

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