GIVEN the intense media frenzy of the preceding seven days, it was inevitable that a dashing young centre would prove the match-winner in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

The only problem, from an English point of view, was that he was wearing red instead of white.

Wales' Gavin Henson was upstaged by Mathew Tait in the build-up to Saturday's slow-boiling Six Nations opener but, once the war of words was put to one side, the new pin-up of the principality ensured England's teenage tyro would be left in the shade.

As if unceremoniously hoisting Tait three feet into the air before dumping him on his backside wasn't emphatic enough, Henson duly held his nerve to convert the 75th-minute penalty that ended Wales' 12-year wait for a home win over their bitterest rivals.

Showing a maturity beyond his 22 years, Henson tackled ferociously while also producing a kicking display that ultimately swung a smothering contest the way of the Dragon.

Wales have been looking for a talismanic midfielder for years and, in Henson, they finally look to have found someone with the artistry and arrogance to justify comparison with the mythical names of the past.

England had hoped Tait might fill a similar void in their own injury-ravaged back line but, after being almost apologetically withdrawn with 20 minutes left, the Wolsingham youngster will have spent his 19th birthday yesterday wondering what his international future holds.

The answer remains unbridled success and, while coach Andy Robinson faces some tough decisions before naming his side for next weekend's game with France, it would be illogical for him to cast Tait aside before he has had the opportunity to see the teenager playing his natural game.

Imagine the England football team telling David Beckham he cannot kick with his right foot, and you come close to appreciating how restricted Tait was.

By refusing to take on the prodigious running skills of the Welsh backs, Robinson attempted to draw every advantage possible from the weight and power of the English pack.

But while the ploy worked to a point - Shane Williams' ninth-minute try was the only time the Welsh wing wizards managed to breach the visitors' defence - it also neutered the offensive weapons in the English armoury.

With Charlie Hodgson kicking at almost every opportunity, it was a novelty when Tait received the ball in hand.

It was even more unusual for him to gain early possession in space as, with Matt Dawson enduring a rare off day behind the scrum, the quality of ball available to the English backs remained pitifully poor.

Tellingly, on one the few occasions he did receive the ball on the move, Tait's perfectly-timed off load to Josh Lewsey culminated in the 37th-minute penalty that Hodgson crucially failed to convert.

Instead, much of the teenager's workload was of a defensive nature and, after Henson had threatened to cut loose on the half-hour mark, Tait's frantic pull on his shirt enabled skipper Jason Robinson to help him snuff out the danger.

Henson extracted his revenge after the interval, with two huge hits leaving Tait nursing a collection of bumps and bruises as well as his wounded pride.

But, while Robinson is to be applauded for boldly handing Tait his debut, he must also accept responsibility for rendering it ineffectual.

If the England coach really wants to see what his latest prodigy is made of, he must grant him the freedom to express himself against France.

With hopes of the Grand Slam already having been shattered, it would be senseless to adopt the same spoiling tactics at Twickenham on Sunday.

Olly Barkley proved he has a better kicking game than Tait in Cardiff but, with the ball in his hand, there is only going to be one winner in the battle of England's midfielders.