Time to unleash the England young bucks

The 22-year-old Newcastle utility back has been a sensation in-waiting for some time now, following an abortive Test debut the day before he turned 19.

But his explosive, swerving break from halfway not only induced temporary pandemonium in the Springbok ranks, it was a coming-of-age moment. At last there was substance to go with so much style.

From that point on, Tait was in his element. Where before there had been a young man in a World Cup Final, evidently disconcerted by nerves, suddenly he was transformed into a pivotal figure in the eye of the storm, demanding the ball, propelling his team forward and switching positions effortlessly.

Suddenly he had a spring in his step, an element of strut in his stride. He even kicked from hand beautifully.

After Gavin Henson had famously dumped him on the Cardiff turf during his first Test appearance, Tait was swiftly jettisoned by England's coach at the time, Andy Robinson.

His self- esteem was badly bruised and it took a while to heal. But a stint on the sevens circuit worked wonders, letting the lethal runner express himself out of the spotlight and earn plaudits as the try-scoring star turn at last year ' s Commonwealth Games.

Suitably revitalised, he fought his way back to prominence in the 15-a-side game. But having earned a place in the England midfield, Tait was widely derided as a weak link during this World Cup.

However, Saturday's Final may ultimately go down as the watershed moment when he finally proved himself.

Reflecting on the stunning run that took him past half-adozen defenders, he said: "It was a pass by Gomers that rolled along the floor so it was hardly a planned move.

I don't really remember exactly what happened, I just remember getting through and running with it. I'm just disappointed not to have gone the whole way."

Tait's gallop towards the line ended a metre or so short as Springbok lock Victor Matfield somehow raced back to prevent a try.

But he admitted that his act of instinctive flair had spurred him on for the rest of the game and built on the encouragement he has gained from regular selection.

"It did help my confidence, it's what I want to do and it gave me a certain buzz and got me involved again. I wanted to try to do it again but the South Africans defended well and we didn't take advantage of some of the situations we did create.

"It's been nice for me to have a run in the team because with any player - whatever their age - that helps massively. It does wonders for your confidence. There are still bits I need to add to my game though, and other bits that need to be ironed out."

In the closing stages, England's assault on the South Africa defence was noticeably led by their young bucks at the back - Tait, his Newcastle team-mate Toby Flood and Dan Hipkiss of Leicester.

While they were unable to make a decisive thrust to alter the outcome, the sight of rookies playing with a hint of bravado offered real hope for the future.

Tait said: "I was talking to Toby after the game and we were saying we've got another four years to work hard, graft away up at Newcastle and make sure we are involved in the 2011 World Cup. Having had this experience we want to be back again.

"There is encouragement to have a lot of younger guys knocking around here and there are also a lot of quality young players at home doing well in the Premiership at the moment. I suppose the future is bright but at the moment we're just disappointed that we have finished in second place."

In addition to the youthful element in England's current squad there are indeed a host of promising prospects at large in the Guinness Premiership.

The pack could soon be reinforced by the likes of Northampton's abrasive hooker Dylan Hartley, Wasps lock Tom Palmer, his club colleague James Haskell at No 8 and Leicester second row Louis Deacon.

Further back there is an even bigger supply of young talent. Ryan Lamb and Anthony Allen from Gloucester, London Irish pair Shane Geraghty and Topsy Ojo, Tom Varndell at Leicester and Danny Cipriani and Dominic Waldouck of Wasps - to name but a few.

All are precociously gifted. All have the raw ability to become Test regulars. All will have eyes on 2011.