After a brutal debut tackle by Gavin Henson in 2005, Mathew Tait rebuilt his career, moved into sevens, earned 38 England caps and now manages one of world rugby’s biggest events from Dubai.
The 2005 Gavin Henson tackle became an iconic image, but Tait went on to a 15-year professional career and 38 England caps.
Tait relocated to Dubai in November 2022 and now serves as general manager and festival director of the Emirates Dubai 7s.
His role covers commercial strategy, logistics, marketing, teams and the event calendar for an event that attracts nearly 100,000 fans.
# The tackle that started the story
Tait has said that being asked about the tackle two decades later offered nothing new to add. In 2025 he turned down interview requests marking the match's anniversary, including offers to sit alongside Henson.
# How Tait rebuilt his career
The tackle did not end Tait's international prospects. He made 38 England appearances, played in the 2007 Rugby World Cup final and had a 15-year professional club career with Newcastle, Sale and Leicester.
A major pivot came through sevens. After the difficult Test debut, Tait spent time in sevens rugby and described it as helping him "fall back in love with the game." Sevens suited his strengths: speed and open-field running.
At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Tait scored 11 tries and finished as the tournament's top scorer as England reached the final. That sevens campaign was a turning point that helped him re-establish himself in the 15‑a‑side game and led to regular England selection, including the run to the 2007 World Cup final.
# Transition out of playing and move to Dubai
Tait's playing career ended in February 2019. After leaving the pitch he spent a couple of years working for Oakwell Sports Advisory in financial services and sport consultancy.
In November 2022 he relocated to the United Arab Emirates. He now lives in Dubai and has taken a leading role in the city's biggest rugby event.
# Running the Emirates Dubai 7s
Tait is the general manager and festival director of the Emirates Dubai 7s. His remit covers commercial and strategic development for the Dubai 7s and The Sevens Stadium, plus oversight of logistics, marketing, social media, teams and the event calendar.
The Dubai 7s is one of the world's largest rugby festivals and draws close to 100,000 fans when staged in November. Tait's work is operational and commercial: building opportunities around the event, managing its public profile and coordinating the many moving parts that deliver a large-scale festival.
He has publicly promoted the tournament through local channels, including a recent appearance on a Dubai radio station to raise awareness of the event.
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