Rugby-Tait ready to grasp latest England chance with both hands

BAGSHOT, England Feb 2 (Reuters) - England's attacking play has been so limited in recent years that Mathew Tait's exhilarating break in the 2007 World Cup final remains clear in the memory for their try-starved fans.

Tait sliced through a hitherto rock solid Springbok defence to set up Mark Cueto's disallowed try, reminding everyone of the talent that led to his England debut as an 18-year-old in 2005.

Yet despite being widely acknowledged as one the most dangerous runners in the game, having earlier delivered a startling performance at the 2006 Commonwealth Games Sevens competition, Tait has started only one England international since that World Cup final defeat in Paris.

His second, against Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday, will be his 33rd cap but only his 16th start.

Andy Robinson threw him in at the deep end for his teenage debut in Cardiff but, after he was famously flattened twice by Wales centre Gavin Henson, he was immediately dropped.

That set the tone for his international career as coaching changes, injuries and being viewed as a "utility player" all conspired to prevent him ever getting an extended run.

FRUSTRATED FANS

As England huffed and puffed away while rarely looking dangerous last November, the frustrated fans were crying out for someone to step on the gas and make some sort of incisive movement but Tait featured for only a few minutes off the bench.

Finally, it seems, Johnson agrees and his recall of Tait, along with the return from injury of fellow centre Riki Flutey and fullback Delon Armitage has given his side a much more inventive look for Saturday's Twickenham encounter.

"It's nice to get the nod to start. There's massive excitement," Tait told reporters after Johnson named his team on Tuesday, adding that he had been initially taken aback to have been dropped following the World Cup.

"I probably took it for granted I would be involved and it was a kick up the backside maybe to re-focus and nail down a (playing) position," he said.

"Maybe I thought I would be involved automatically, which is a very daft thing to do and disrespectful to guys like Danny Hipkiss.

"It's been a tough couple of years but it's made me realise how much I want to be involved. Now I've just got to grasp the opportunity with both hands."

Having come on the scene so young it is difficult to believe that Tait will be celebrating only his 24th birthday on Saturday but he has packed a lot into his career.

Now a confirmed 13 and cast as England's attacking saviour, there is a danger that the home fans will expect too much, too soon. Johnson, however, is unconcerned.

"He is a very bright, very mature guy," Johnson said. "There is sometimes a temptation with young players to try to do something special every time they get the ball but he will play the situation on its merits and do what he needs to do."

Having said that, he clearly picked Tait with an eye to making England more dangerous than in their flat November.

"We were maybe a bit prescriptive in the autumn and there were reasons for that with new guys coming through," he said.

"But he's a guy we trust to go and play. He's an instinctive player, a massive talent." (Editing by Sonia Oxley; To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)