New-style Leicester Tigers make Mathew Tait glad he said ‘Non’

Mathew Tait refuses to rule out the possibility of adding to his 38 England caps – if new boss Eddie Jones cares to look his way.
Tait, injury-free and fully revitalised under Leicester head coach Aaron Mauger, last played for England against Australia in 2010.
His gifted brand of intelligent, quick-witted rugby may appeal to Jones, however, as the Australian sifts through his Six Nations options.
Tait, who nearly won the 2007 World Cup final single-handedly for England, told The Rugby Paper: “I’ve always got ambitions to play for my country.
“I’m realistic that there are a fair few guys around who are younger, and there are a lot of quality backs coming through, but if I play well for Leicester and something comes off the back of that, then great.
“I’ve got unfinished business with England, but it is what it is and we’ll have to see what happens now.”
Tait, 29, has been making hay in a Leicester side that is benefitting from a more attacking outlook under ex-All Black Mauger.
“He’s given people a framework and the confidence to play what’s in front of us, and have the confidence to back their decisions,” said Tait.
“Nine and 10 are still the key decision-makers, but they’re starting to make those decisions based on information from guys in the wide channels: if it’s on, go wide; if not, we can still stick it up the jumper and do it the Leicester way.
“I’m enjoying my rugby, though, and for me it’s always been about staying fit and playing consistently and I’ve been able to do that.”
Tait’s talents were nearly lost to English rugby this summer when he agreed to join Bayonne, but to Leicester’s good fortune the move fell through.
“I had a change of circumstances,” Tait explained. “My wife had our second child and there were a few issues around with finding hospitals and what have you, so we just decided that we didn’t want to go anymore.
“Bayonne obviously got relegated as well and an opportunity arose late last season to stay here, so I jumped at the opportunity.
“When I made my initial decision to go to France I had no idea Aaron was coming. We had a chat and it’s worked out for the best.
“Would I consider France again? I don’t know, lots of things can happen but I’m happy to spend my next two years at Tigers.”
Tait has relished the added responsibility of captaincy in the absence of Ed Slater, saying: “It means talking a bit more than usual, but I’ve enjoyed it and there’s been a lot of experience around me.”
With Leicester’s new signings bedding in smoothly, Tait believes the East Midlands outfit could soon be back on the silverware trail.
He added: “Guys like Brendon O’Connor, Mike Fitzgerald, Mike Williams and Lachlan McCaffery are all good players and good guys as well. We’ve still got a few guys to come back from injury as well so it’s all looking quite exciting.
“We’ve started well in the league and in Europe and the group is learning and growing under Aaron, which we saw against Stade Francais and Treviso. There’s a different accent on how we want to play and it looks quite promising.”
NEALE HARVEY