England recalls mercurial Tait
Source: Agencies |
February 3, 2010, Wednesday
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MARTIN Johnson announced the most exciting backline of his tenure as England manager yesterday as he looks to start the Six Nations with a bang against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.
Johnson has recalled the mercurial Mathew Tait alongside fit-again Riki Flutey in a new-look center partnership with Delon Armitage restored to fullback after he, like Flutey, missed the November internationals.
Danny Care is restored at scrumhalf ahead of Paul Hodgson and with No. 8 James Haskell and prop David Wilson recalled, the team shows six changes from that well beaten 6-19 by New Zealand just over two months ago.
The selection marks something of a change of emphasis for Johnson, who said he and his coaching team had been too prescriptive in previous matches and needed to give his backs more freedom.
Tait has 32 caps but only 15 as a starter as successive England coaches have picked and discarded him.
The Sale center, who made a memorable debut against Wales as a teenager five years ago when he was twice spectacularly dumped on his back by Gavin Henson, has featured at wing and fullback since during an in-and-out career.
His eye for a break and silky running was seen at its best in the 2007 World Cup final when he set up Mark Cueto for the try that was ruled out by the video referee. Saturday, his 24th birthday, will represent only his second start since that Springbok defeat in Paris.
Flutey's return should help Tait and fans will hope it also helps Jonny Wilkinson sharpen up his distribution. Armitage, one of England's stand-out performers in the last Six Nations, is another welcome return at fullback, where England struggled in November.
"It's good to have those guys back," Johnson said. "Delon has matured into a genuine international rugby player now while Riki is fantastic on his feet and an extra pair of eyes for the 10. It's great to have Mat in there with Riki too."
Johnson overlooked Tait in November, opting instead for Danny Hipkiss, but said he had always been part of his plans.
"We wanted some continuity in the last Six Nations and Mat was shifting around positions a bit but we were always thinking about using his talents on the field. We were maybe a bit prescriptive in the autumn and there were reasons for that with new guys coming through."
Johnson has recalled the mercurial Mathew Tait alongside fit-again Riki Flutey in a new-look center partnership with Delon Armitage restored to fullback after he, like Flutey, missed the November internationals.
Danny Care is restored at scrumhalf ahead of Paul Hodgson and with No. 8 James Haskell and prop David Wilson recalled, the team shows six changes from that well beaten 6-19 by New Zealand just over two months ago.
The selection marks something of a change of emphasis for Johnson, who said he and his coaching team had been too prescriptive in previous matches and needed to give his backs more freedom.
Tait has 32 caps but only 15 as a starter as successive England coaches have picked and discarded him.
The Sale center, who made a memorable debut against Wales as a teenager five years ago when he was twice spectacularly dumped on his back by Gavin Henson, has featured at wing and fullback since during an in-and-out career.
His eye for a break and silky running was seen at its best in the 2007 World Cup final when he set up Mark Cueto for the try that was ruled out by the video referee. Saturday, his 24th birthday, will represent only his second start since that Springbok defeat in Paris.
Flutey's return should help Tait and fans will hope it also helps Jonny Wilkinson sharpen up his distribution. Armitage, one of England's stand-out performers in the last Six Nations, is another welcome return at fullback, where England struggled in November.
"It's good to have those guys back," Johnson said. "Delon has matured into a genuine international rugby player now while Riki is fantastic on his feet and an extra pair of eyes for the 10. It's great to have Mat in there with Riki too."
Johnson overlooked Tait in November, opting instead for Danny Hipkiss, but said he had always been part of his plans.
"We wanted some continuity in the last Six Nations and Mat was shifting around positions a bit but we were always thinking about using his talents on the field. We were maybe a bit prescriptive in the autumn and there were reasons for that with new guys coming through."
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