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Rugby Union

Tait anticipates "strange" return to Kingston Park

04/09/2008

Sale Sharks centre Mathew Tait has admitted he will find it "strange" to return to former club Newcastle Falcons with an opposing team this weekend.

The England international will head back to Kingston Park on the first day of the new Guinness Premiership season on Saturday, just months after he left the north-east for Greater Manchester.

Tait will hope to lead his new club side to a first-ever victory at the ground he knows so well.

But conceded he will always have a soft spot for the club that helped propel him into the consciousness of rugby union fans worldwide.

"It was difficult at Newcastle last season with everything going on, on and off the pitch," the Durham-born 22-year-old said.

"I was ready for a change and just want the games to get started.

"Newcastle will be the first result I look for. I spent nearly five years there so I'll always keep an eye on what's going on up there."

He continued: "My focus is now on Sale Sharks and helping them fulfil their ambitions.

"It will seem strange going back and it would be interesting if I lined up against [younger brother] Alex."

Since moving to Sale, Tait says he has been impressed by the set up and hopes to achieve some success with his new club in 2008/09.

"On paper we have an excellent squad and it's up to us, the players, to fulfil that potential on the pitch," he explained.

"With the players here and the players we have signed, it is clear to me that the club is moving in the right direction and I want to be part of that."