Tait returns to Cardiff two years after his solitary previous RBS 6 Nations start, which proved a deflating experience.

Not only was he on the receiving end of some crunching Gavin Henson tackles, but England lost 11-9, Tait was substituted and then dropped for the next 6 Nations game against France.

It proved a sobering introduction to the international arena, but Tait  by his own admission 'two years older and two years wiser'  is a pivotal figure in England's unlikely bid for 6 Nations silverware.

Catt said: 'Mathew is a fantastic player and he is not going to be too concerned by what happened two years ago.

'He is very strong, he is very quick and he has got a lot to offer. We must play to his strengths.'

Despite Wales needing victory to avoid a 6 Nations whitewash  and England suffering just one defeat in Cardiff since 1993  Catt is wary of a significant home threat.

He added: 'Wales are capable of gelling, and if they think they can come out and beat England then it won't make their championship too bad a one.

'For us, it is about performance game by game. We are not guaranteed a win, but if we put a very good performance together, then the opportunities will be there.'

England received a considerable confidence boost by ending French Grand Slam hopes last weekend, but Wales will provide a severe examination for the likes of youngsters Toby Flood, Tait and flanker James Haskell, who makes his international debut in an all-Wasps back row.

Catt, meanwhile, allayed any lingering fears about his fitness after taking a full part in Friday's England team run.

His training had been restricted this week due to a hamstring problem, but he will now lead an England side who face Wales with an outside chance of landing the RBS 6 Nations title, although France and Ireland remain strong favourites.

The key for England is backing up the quality of their second-half display in beating France 26-18 last Sunday.

England head coach Brian Ashton said: 'The best part of our performance against France was the way a reorganised pack took the French full-on, and we have got to have the foundation and platform up front.

'Winning is the key thing, and to win away from home would be fantastic for us.'