Alex Tait (rugby union)

Alex Tait
Tait in 2018
Birth nameAlexander Cameron Tait
Date of birth (1988-03-18) 18 March 1988 (age 36)
Place of birthShotley Bridge, County Durham, England
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight94 kg (14 st 11 lb; 207 lb)[1]
SchoolBarnard Castle School
UniversityNewcastle University
Notable relative(s)Mathew Tait (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing, Centre
Current team Newcastle Falcons
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007–2023 Newcastle Falcons 269 (200)
Correct as of 20 April 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007 England U19 5 (10)
2008 England U20 4 (0)

Alex Tait (born 18 March 1988) is a retired English rugby union player, who played for Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership.

Rugby career

Tait's usual position is fullback, but he can also cover at centre. He made his first team début for Newcastle against Cetransa El Salvador in November 2007.[2][3]

After making his first team debut in 2007, Tait became a regular for the Falcons in his decade at the club. Appearing over 200 times by the close of the 2017-2018 English Rugby Premiership season. "He has turned in extremely consistent performances which are right up there at the top," said director of rugby Dean Richards at the time. Acknowledging the hard grafting full-back's service to the Falcons.[4]

2017-18 saw Tait scoring the Newcastle Falcons first and last tries of the campaign at home against Worcester and away to Exeter. Making 23 first team appearances, contributing to the Falcons' best season in 20 years. [5] Tait signed a new contract with the Falcons from late 2017 onward.

On 17 April 2023, Tait announced his retirement at the end of the 2022-23 season.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Aviva Premiership Rugby - Newcastle Falcons". web page. Premier Rugby. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  2. ^ "Alex Tait Biography". Newcastle Falcons. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  3. ^ Bolton, Paul (12 November 2007). "Alex Tait shades older brother". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  4. ^ "Alex Tait: Newcastle Falcons full-back signs long-term deal at Kingston Park". Newcastle Falcons. 13 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Alex Tait: Newcastle Falcons full-back signs long-term deal at Kingston Park". BBC Sport. 13 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Alex Tait: Newcastle Falcons stalwart to retire at end of season". BBC Sport. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.