Source: Northern_Echo
Tait shelves international ambitions to concentrate on Falcons
ALEX Tait will put his international ambitions on hold as he attempts to fire Newcastle Falcons back up the Guinness Premiership table in the final two-and-a-half months of the season.[LNB] Tait's international future has been the subject of considerable conjecture in recent weeks, with the full-back qualifying to play for England, Scotland and Ireland at representative level.[LNB] His failure to make the England Saxons squad led to increased speculation north of the border suggesting he could opt to pin his colours to the Scottish mast, but while his brother, Mathew, continues to hog the headlines at international level following his try for England in Italy, Alex will be concentrating on domestic matters for the rest of the campaign.[LNB] "International rugby is the pinnacle of any player's career," said Wolsingham-born Tait, who, like his brother, is a product of both Barnard Castle School and the Falcons Academy.[LNB] "It's what we all aspire to and I'm no different. I'd love to play on that stage in the future, but I know that my club form is the most important thing.[LNB] "As a 21-year-old to be playing for a great club like Newcastle week in, week out, I'm really pleased about that.[LNB] "I still have plenty of developing to do, but if I just focus on my club form every week, that's the best way to go in terms of what eventually might come on the back of that."[LNB] Tait returns to action tomorrow as Falcons host London Irish looking to bounce back from last weekend's defeat at Northampton.[LNB] The reverse at Franklin's Gardens saw Newcastle drop to eighth in the Premiership table, but they remain just one point behind sixth-placed Gloucester.[LNB] A Heineken Cup place remains the target, and with just nine more league games to play, Tait admits tomorrow's match could prove a pivotal encounter.[LNB] "It's a massively important game, and could be the turning point in our season," he said. "If we can get a win then we're right back in the mix.[LNB] "The middle of the table is extremely tight at the moment and four or five points would put us in with a shout of being in the top half again.[LNB] "It was obviously disappointing to slip out of that top six last weekend down at Northampton, but they're a class side and we have to take the positives from that game into the London Irish match."[LNB] Falcons director of rugby Steve Bates has made two changes to the side that went down 25-13 at Northampton.[LNB] Peter Browne starts at number eight after a calf injury ruled out Samoa international Filipo Levi, while Will Welch replaces Josh Afu in the back row, with Brent Wilson switching from open-side to blind-side flanker.[LNB] "We were extremely competitive despite the result at Northampton last weekend," said Bates. "But we're all aware that this game against London Irish is a big one.[LNB] "We're determined to get back out there and show what we can do, we believe we can be a top-six side this season but we need to back that up with results."[LNB] London Irish welcome back international duo Paul Hodgson and Steffon Armitage after they were released from the England squad.[LNB] Meanwhile, Newcastle have confirmed that back rower Adam Balding will join Worcester Warriors at the end of the current campaign.[LNB] "I have really enjoyed myself at Newcastle Falcons," said Balding. "The North-East is a fantastic place to play and we have a great set of supporters. I've always given everything for the club and will continue to do so until the end of this season."[LNB] NEWCASTLE FALCONS (vs London Irish): Tait, Williams, Bobo, Tuipulotu, Amesbury, Gopperth, Young; Golding, Vickers, Hayman, Hudson, Swinson, Wilson, Welch, Browne.[LNB] Replacements: Walker, Brookes, Shiells, Sorenson, Afu, Charlton, Miller, Vickerman.[LNB]
