Tarr was also a powerful tackler. On 12 December, the

1908 Varsity Match resulted in a hard-fought 5–5 draw,

the Cambridge pack having improved considerably

since the previous year. As it turned out, Vassall had

an ankle injury that took him out of the game after

just ve minutes into the game. The Times noted

Tarr’s performance saying: “FN Tarr, at left centre three-quarter, gave a

magnicent display of defensive play.”

Tarr earned his rst England cap on 9 January 1909 against the touring

Australians at Rectory Field, Blackheath. With both Vassall and John Birkett

injured, he was selected to start. England took an early lead, when Tarr put

Mobbs in for a try in the opening stages. That try has been described by

contemporary rugby journalist and author E. H. D. Sewell, as being “one

of the very best ever scored, being perfect in execution from the moment

Tarr rst received the ball to the moment Mobbs touched it down for a try.”

Unfortunately, Australia eventually won 9–3.

Tarr was then been selected to play against Wales the following week. Wales

were the favourites and although England played better than expected,

they beat the visitors 8–0. Two weeks later, on 30 January, England played

France with a half back combination of Frank Hutchinson, earning his

rst cap, and Williamson; Poulton making his debut at centre alongside

Tarr; and Mobbs and Tom Simpson on the wings. England won the game

comfortably 22–0 with Tarr scoring two tries, one through good interplay

with Mobbs and the other, a ne individual run. However, despite the tries,

Tarr was subsequently dropped from the England squad.