International Rugby
Tigers poised to snap up Tait
ESPNscrum Staff
January 28, 2011
Sale's Mathew Tait exploits a gap, Exeter Chiefs v Sale Sharks, Aviva Premiership, Sandy Park, Exeter, England, November 27, 2010
Tait could be set for a switch to Welford Road next season © Getty Images
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Leicester are close to signing Mathew Tait from Aviva Premiership rivals Sale Sharks.

Tigers' director of rugby Richard Cockerill has revealed that terms have been agreed with the injury-plagued 24-year-old England international who has started just three Premiership games this season.

"He is keen to come and we are keen to have him here," Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury. "We have agreed terms with Mat but that is still to be signed off. There's a good possibility it will happen.

"It is a slight gamble for him to come to us - and for us to sign him, too. But he is 24 and has 38 England caps, so there is still a lot of rugby left in him. Anthony Allen, Geoff Parling and Ben Woods are just a few of the guys who are proof that, if they have the talent and ability, we have a good track record of getting the very best out of them.

"We are trying to get the best players into the squad that we can afford, and we are looking for players who can cover the outside-back positions of 13, wing and full-back."

Tait's arrival could reportedly pave the way for Dan Hipkiss' departure from Welford Road while Tait would follow Charlie Hodgson out of Edgeley Park with the fly-half set to join Saracens in the summer.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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