Mathew Tait has, by being selected in England's team to play Wales in Saturday's Six Nations opener, shed for the time being the tag of being a player so good he never gets a Test.
But the gifted centre's England career to date means he will be the last person thinking about an extended run in the side when he takes the field at Twickenham this weekend.
It is a measure of how uninspiring much of England's back play has been in recent years that many fans recall Tait's dashing solo break that led to a disallowed try for Mark Cueto in the 2007 World Cup final against eventual champions South Africa with affection.
However, Saturday's fixture will be only Tait's second England start since that match.
Coming off the bench has been a theme of Tait's England career with this weekend's match, which takes place on his 24th birthday, marking his 33rd cap but only his 16th start.
It has been that way ever since he made his England debut as a teenager in Cardiff back in 2005 when, after twice being crash tackled by Wales centre Gavin Henson, he was dropped by then coach Andy Robinson.
Injuries, coaching changes and being regarded as a "utility player" have all conspired against Tait getting a decent run of England matches.
But after a November series where England managed one try during three Tests against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand, with Tait reduced to a bit-part player, England manager Martin Johnson has recalled the Sale centre, along with fit again fellow centre Riki Flutey and full-back Delon Armitage into what at least looks like a more inventive attack.
"It's nice to get the nod to start. There's massive excitement," said Tait at England's training base before admitting he had been surprised to be dropped after the World Cup.
"I probably took it for granted I would be involved and it was a kick up the backside maybe to refocus and nail down a position.
"Maybe I did take it for granted I would be involved automatically, which is a very daft thing to do and disrespectful to guys like Danny Hipkiss.
"It's been a tough couple of years but it's made me realised how much I want to be involved. Now I've just got to grasp the opportunity with both hands."
Given what has happened to him with England, Tait could be forgiven for trying to do too much too soon at the weekend.
But Johnson said Tait had enough experience not to fall into that trap.
"He's a very bright, mature guy.
"The temptation with young players is they think they have to do something special because it's Test rugby but he'll play the situation on its merits."
