Tait set for England debut

Newcastle teenager Mathew Tait will make his England debut in the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Wales on Saturday.

Tait, 19 a day after the Millennium Stadium showdown, has gained England head coach Andy Robinson’s seal of approval as replacement for an injured Mike Tindall.

Tait will be partnered in the centre by his Newcastle colleague Jamie Noon, who takes over from Henry Paul.

Gloucester playmaker Paul is dropped following his 26-minute substitution when England lost to Australia at Twickenham last November.

Other changes from the defeat against the Wallabies see World Cup scrum-half Matt Dawson recalled instead of Andy Gomarsall, Leicester lock Ben Kay replacing Steve Borthwick and Gloucester flanker Andy Hazell making his first Six Nations start.

England team to play Wales in the RBS 6 Nations Championship in Cardiff on Saturday:

J Robinson (Sale Sharks, capt); M Cueto (Sale Sharks), M Tait (Newcastle), J Noon (Newcastle), J Lewsey (Wasps); C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), M Dawson (Wasps); G Rowntree (Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), J White (Leicester), D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), L Moody (Leicester), A Hazell (Gloucester), J Worsley (Wasps).

Replacements: A Titterrell (Sale Sharks), P Vickery (Gloucester), S Borthwick (Bath), J Forrester (Gloucester), H Ellis (Leicester), O Barkley (Bath), B Cohen (Northampton).