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Flutey will join Tait as a centre while Cueto will play on the wing for England v Wales

Tait and Cueto start for England in 2010 Six Nations

Tuesday, February 2nd 2010

Mathew Tait will start the 2010 RBS Six Nations against Wales at Twickenham alongside follow Shark Mark Cueto this Saturday.

Tait, whose last England start was against New Zealand on 21st June 2008, will celebrate his 24th birthday this Saturday starting for England at outside centre, earning his 33rd cap for his country.

England Manager, Martin Johnson, has paired Tait in the midfield with Brive's Riki Flutey.

Tait's Sharks teammate Mark Cueto has also been named in the starting line up on the wing. Cueto will earn his 35th cap for England against Wales on Saturday.

Wales have gotten the better of England the last three times the two rivals have met, but Sale Sharks Head Coach and England legend Jason Robinson believes Tait can help turn England’s fortunes around.

“On his day, there are not many people who can touch Mathew Tait in the Premiership. He has everything you need as an attacking back," Robinson said. “He has electric pace and is an outstanding player. Over the years I don’t think he has been used as he should have been for England. He has been chopping and changing between wing and full-back and outside centre."

“I personally believe his best position is outside centre. He’s fit and well at the moment. He’s in good shape and he’s playing regularly in one position. That’s incredibly important for him and for England."

England Squad:Delon Armitage (London Irish); Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks), Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks), Riki Flutey (Brive), Ugo Monye (Harlequins); Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon), Danny Care (Harlequins); Tim Payne (Wasps), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), David Wilson (Bath), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Steve Borthwick (Saracens, capt), James Haskell (Stade Francais), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Nick Easter (Harlequins).

Replacements: Steve Thompson (Brive), Dan Cole (Leicester), Louis Deacon (Leicester), Steffon Armitage (London Irish), Paul Hodgson (London Irish), Tody Flood (Leicester), Ben Foden (Northampton).