England's Ant and Dec put their nightmares behind them

The Ant and Dec of Ashton's England are the epitome of a side rebuilt in the aftermath of the World Cup; young, brash and talented.

But it could all have turned out so differently, for both Flood and Tait endured debuts in the colours of their country that saw them make headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Tait was a day short of his 19th birthday when he first faced Wales in Cardiff three years ago. Full of promise after scoring on his Premiership debut for Newcastle while still a schoolboy, he ended up being dumptackled by Gavin Henson and then dumped by England coach Andy Robinson.

Some 21 months later it was Flood's turn to suffer. His first game for England — against Argentina in November 2006 — turned sour when his pass was intercepted by Federico Todeschini for what proved to be the winning try. England were booed off the pitch and Robinson lost his job a fortnight later.

Flood recalls: "I sent a text to Taity before the Wales game to wish him luck. I know everyone goes on about the Henson tackle, but I thought he actually had a good game."

As for his own debut, Flood admitted: "The booing was horrific. I blamed myself afterwards because I was guilty of the killer pass but it has made me stronger.

"A year earlier and I would have looked for a hole to swallow me up, but I've been able to kick on from that."

Tait agreed: "I felt sorry for Toby because I knew he'd get a lot of flak afterwards. But I also knew it wouldn't faze him, which it hasn't."

That both of them have fought back from such inauspicious beginnings says much for their character and ability.

Now, with a World Cup final behind them, Tait and Flood are keen to cement their places in the England back line — and are even talking already of going one better in 2011.

Indeed, as the England players trudged off the Stade de France field last October having just lost the World Cup final to South Africa, Tait recalls telling Flood: "We want to be back in four years' time, and then we want to make sure we win it."

Flood said: "There's so much that could happen between now and 2011, but Taity and I both know how massive it is playing in the World Cup. It's our Olympics and we feel we've got a great chance of going one better next time."

Their optimism is not misplaced. An explosion of youthful talent has invigorated English rugby.

Back row forward James Haskell, at 22, will probably join Tait, at full-back, and Flood, set to play at inside centre alongside Newcastle colleague Jonny Wilkinson, in Ashton's starting XV next week.

Danny Cipriani is likely to be Wilkinson's understudy, and a whole wealth of other young talents, such as back rower Tom Croft, are also close to breaking into the Test squad.

Tait said: "We know each other because we have been playing for England representative sides for a few years now. Anything can happen but there's no doubt English rugby is in good health. That's why we think we've half a chance at the next World Cup."

Flood twice played against Tait in a national schools' competition.

"We all knew about golden boy Mat," said Flood. "Everyone did. Even though he was the year below me he was the great white hope of north-east rugby. What he has achieved since hasn't surprised anyone."

The final was Tait's 20th cap while Flood, with 12, has bounced back well since that debut nightmare.

"It's fantastic that we've both grown up at Newcastle and now find ourselves playing together with England," said Tait.

Equally inspiring is the fact that they will be in a backs line alongside Wilkinson, their mentor at Newcastle and now their friend as well.

Both met the man whose drop-goal won the 2003 World Cup final while still at school.

In Tait's case, it was when the Falcons asked him to join Wilkinson and the now-departed fitness coach, Steve Black, for a training session. Flood was at school when Wilkinson arrived to coach his team.

"He's always been a huge role model to us," said Flood. "If I've ever needed any help or advice, Jonny's always been the first to offer it, happily giving up an hour of his time to iron out any technical deficiencies, or just talk. It has never been a problem to him. He has always had time for us.

"Obviously, that makes it more special playing alongside him with England, but it's weird being good friends with Jonny now because to us he's just a regular bloke."

Flood had failed to make the World Cup squad of 30 but arrived immediately after the South Africa debacle in the group stages to replace injured club-mate Jamie Noon.

"I arrived at the lowest ebb, but it was a great experience because I saw how a team can turn it round through sheer force of character," he said. "It's an ingredient the younger players must ensure remains."