Fasten your seat belts, Tait is ready to start flying

The 21-year-old has been trying off and on for 30 months to make the point, more off than on since his premature exposure to Wales in February 2005.

Against Samoa in Nantes, he will be starting at outside centre for only the fifth time since then, the nature of his progress an accurate reflection of his country's fragmented state all over the pitch.

Tait has long recovered from being unceremoniously dumped by his opposite number Gavin Henson - remember him?

Head coach Brian Ashton, mildly irritated that the image of that night in Cardiff should reappear with superfluous questions about Tait's physical powers, dismissed it as a non-issue.

Since taking charge, Ashton has worked on convincing Tait to do at Test level what he has done in dazzling fashion on the world seven-a-side circuit and, occasionally, for his club. 'He can see things quickly,' Ashton said. 'When he sees them early enough, he has the pace to capitalise.'

England sorely need him to start realising the potential without further delay. 'I'm very impatient,' he said. 'I want things in a hurry and I've been frustrated at not having been given the opportunity, as I see it, to do what I know I can do. 'My game is about handling, running and creating chances and it's up to those who've been picked to put in performances which say, "You can't drop me".'

Meanwhile, defence coach Mike Ford has sprung to Andy Farrell's defence just four days after suggesting that the Saracens centre was rapidly running out of time to make a lasting impression at Test level. 'Against a very good South African team, Andy stood up to be counted,' Ford said. 'As the tournament progresses, I can see Andy getting better and better.'