Frustration and impatience are two words that have featured highly on Mathew Tait's England agenda since he made his Test debut as a teenager.

The World Cup clash against Samoa in Nantes tomorrow will be just his 10th England start during a 30-game spell when the gifted Newcastle centre also played wing and full-back.

Such facts and figures are even more of a mystery, given Tait's unquestioned line-breaking ability from outside centre.

England might have shipped more than 100 points in losing both summer Tests to their World Cup nemesis South Africa earlier this year, but Tait was the one opposition player they barely shackled.

He pulls on the number 13 jersey this weekend, forming a new midfield partnership alongside Olly Barkley.

Given that England have failed to score a try in three of the last four Tests and their World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread, Tait's appearance in unquestionably his natural position is long overdue.

He said: ''My favourite position is outside centre. I know the coaches have been keen to try me at full-back, and you enjoy that and embrace it, but from a personal point of view I am glad to be back in the centre this weekend.

''It has been very frustrating during the (World Cup) warm-up games and the couple of pool matches that have just gone not to have had a bit more of a role.

''I have had to be patient, and it is up to me now, having been given the chance this weekend, to try and take it.

''I see it as a huge opportunity. As a player on this type of stage, you aim to be involved.

''It doesn't get any bigger than a World Cup, and there are two massive games ahead against Samoa and Tonga.

''It is all about getting your hands on the ball and having a chance to run. I have had limited game time so far, and I will be looking to take what opportunities present themselves.

''It has been frustrating not to have been given an opportunity, as I see it, to do what I feel I can do, but there is no time like the present.''

Former Barnard Castle school pupil Tait first emerged on the England scene as an 18-year-old, summoned by former head coach Andy Robinson for a difficult Millennium Stadium appointment with Wales in 2005.

England lost 11-9, Wales went on to win their first RBS 6 Nations title and tournament Grand Slam, and the abiding memory of Tait was how Gavin Henson effectively carried him around Cardiff through one crunching tackle after another.

Robinson's selection was widely criticised, but at 21, Newcastle Falcon Tait can at last make his presence felt in a game of huge significance - and confirm beyond doubt he is a long-term option as an England outside centre.

He added: ''From a physical point of view, I've matured over the last couple of years, which was always going to be the case anyway.

''Everyone has got a responsibility to carry out their jobs, and if everyone does that well, then the team will perform well.

''It is up to the guys who have been picked to put their hands up and put in a performance that says 'you can't drop me.'''

Tait's immediate task is to successfully navigate his way past an imposing Samoan physical game, while also creating chances that a tactically bankrupt England side could not manage against previous Pool A opponents America and South Africa.

Tait said: ''We are aware of the physical nature of the way the Samoans tackle.

''We need to be aware of what is around us, and maybe keep one eye on a Tuilagi or someone flying in.

''I have played against these guys before, and I am under no illusions about how tough it is going to be physically. You have to relish it.

''Everyone prepares differently. Some go out and bang their heads against walls, being sick before games, that's just the way they deal with nerves.

''For me, I go through a few moves and visualise in my head what I should be doing, but I think a little bit of nerves keeps guys on edge.''

Scotland flanker Kelly Brown believes his team have nothing to fear when they face New Zealand at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks, and their chances of breaking that duck in this World Cup seem remote. But Brown has urged supporters to dream.

''Everyone knows the size of the challenge we are facing, but as professional athletes we want to test ourselves against the best in the world,'' he said.

"There is a genuine excitement that we have an opportunity here to achieve something special.'