ENGLAND coach Andy Robinson is confident that teenage prodigy Mathew Tait will not be daunted by the final step in his transition from schoolboy to superstar.

Tait will become the youngest player to represent England since injured Newcastle Falcons team-mate Jonny Wilkinson when he makes his international debut in Saturday's Six Nations opener with Wales.

The centre, who celebrates his 19th birthday on Sunday, was still playing for his Barnard Castle School side less than nine months ago.

Yet after making his Zurich Premiership debut in May - and scoring a try with his first touch of the ball against London Irish - the Weardale youngster will complete one of the most remarkable rises imaginable in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium this weekend.

Robinson has taken something of a gamble by pairing the untried Tait with Newcastle team-mate Jamie Noon in an injury-ravaged England backline.

But after watching his new-look centres train at Twickenham yesterday, the England coach insisted he was confident Tait could handle the pressures of the international game.

"I have never been afraid to select young talented players if I feel they are ready," said Robinson, who replaced World Cup winner Sir Clive Woodward in October.

"Mathew Tait has demonstrated to me that he has the form and speed to earn his place in the starting XV."

Tait, whose only previous Twickenham appearance came in the 2003 Under-18 Schools Cup final, signed professional forms with the Falcons only this summer.

But injuries to Mark Mayerhofler and Joe Shaw saw him catapulted into the first team, and a series of eye-catching displays led to a call-up to the England Sevens side in December.

Rob Andrew had hoped to keep Tait under wraps for most of this season but, after learning of his protg's spot in Saturday's starting line-up, the Newcastle coach insisted he could make a massive impact on this year's Six Nations.

"Mathew's call-up comes after a meteoric rise in the last year," said Andrew, one of a trio of previous Barnard Castle products who played for England along with the Underwood brothers.

"Let's not forget that, at this time last season, he was still playing schoolboy rugby.

"The amazing confidence he has shown in his short time with us so far suggests that he can cope with whatever is thrown at him, although we should not forget how far he has come in a short space of time.

"He is only 18 and must be allowed time to develop at the highest level. But having seen the way he has played for the Falcons this season and the attitude he has demonstrated, I am sure he can make an impact."

With Noon also winning his sixth international cap in Cardiff, England's backline will have a distinctly North-Eastern feel as Robinson's side look to make amends for last year's disappointing Six Nations campaign.

Noon had looked like missing out after he picked up a dead leg in Friday night's defeat at Saracens, but weekend treatment has enabled him to take his place in the side.

"I'm extremely proud of both of them," said Andrew. "This is a massive day in the history of the club.

"Jamie has been rewarded for his consistently superb performances for us, and I have no doubt he has what it takes to translate that on to the international stage."

Noon has been preferred to Gloucester centre Henry Paul - dropped after being substituted in England's recent loss to Australia - while Tait replaces injured World Cup winner Mike Tindall.

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

Hazell will feature at open side, with Lewis Moody moving to the blind side role and Wasps' Joe Worsley lining up at No 8.

Robinson goes into his first Six Nations game without the injured Tindall, Wilkinson, Will Greenwood, Stuart Abbott, Richard Hill and Martin Corry.

"Selection for the team to play Wales was very close indeed," confirmed the England coach. "Several players were close to making the starting XV.

"Obviously injuries were a factor in the selection process, but I am confident this is a strong team to face Wales on Saturday."