Video evidence of Mathew Tait's undoubted ability as he announces retirement

Former England centre Mathew Tait has retired from rugby with immediate effect after suffering from a persistent Achilles injury this season that has prevented him from playing for Leicester.

The 33-year-old is the third youngest player to represent England post-war, after making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2005 against Wales.

He was once regarded as one of the brightest prospects in English rugby, but unfortunately had a career blighted by injury that prevented him from becoming the player many thought he would be. He still won 36 caps for England, nonetheless.

Now that he has retired, here are the greatest moments over his career:

This game in 2008 displayed everything that was good about Tait’s game. Playing at fullback for Newcastle, where he was equally as comfortable, he ran a searing line to cut through the Saracens defence and scored.

A try-saving tackle also showed how reliable he was in defence, something that he never lost throughout his career.

Looking back on the best moments of 2018…

Mathew Tait's try-saving tackle for @LeicesterTigers is as much a life-lesson as it is a brilliant piece of defending ?

Never give up! ?pic.twitter.com/gZNOrvzwqN

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 30, 2018

This try-saving tackle will not only go down as one of Tait’s best tackles, but one of the best tackles in recent history.

Although Tait perhaps lost a yard or two of pace throughout his career, he still showed great speed to catch up with Dan Robson last season, and prevent Leicester’s bitter rivals Wasps from scoring.

This run by Tait in the 2007 World Cup final was the first real glimpse the rugby world got to see what Tait was capable of.

Although a try was never scored, the 21-year-old Tait announced himself on the biggest stage of them all with this devastating run through the heart of the South African defence.

This showed what Tait was capable of, and many England fans will be disappointed that he could never reach his full potential in white.

Watch: Eddie Jones – ‘Wales deserved to win’