By Bryn Palmer

Tindall can expect a warm reception at the Rec

Former England centre Jeremy Guscott believes Mike Tindall needs to 'step up a gear' if he is to regain his Test place for the autumn internationals.

Tindall returns to his old club Bath with Gloucester on Saturday with the England selectors monitoring his form.

"I think he will probably get back in but on form I don't think he deserves his spot," Guscott told BBC Sport.

"He is not doing anything wrong but has not done anything great either. He is cruising and needs to step up a gear."

Guscott believes if Tindall does return to top form, after missing most of last season through injury, he should be in the England side to face Australia on 12 November.

"My perfect option would be Mike Tindall at his best and Ollie Smith outside him," Guscott added.

"Ollie Smith is certainly the man for the future. He could be unbelievable. I think he is the most talented centre we have got.

"But if you went on current form, you would go with Jamie Noon. I thought he played incredibly well during the Six Nations last year and got better and better as it went on."

Smith gets a chance to press his case against Newcastle on Friday, for whom Noon will only be a replacement at best after banging his knee against Sale a fortnight ago.

England coach Andy Robinson will also have a keen interest in how Josh Lewsey fares as he plays at centre for Wasps alongside Stuart Abbott against the Sharks on Friday.