Tait (right) played outside centre for England in the autumn

Tait, England's outside centre in both autumn Tests against South Africa, will replace injured skipper Matt Burke.

"I spoke to Mathew and Brian Ashton about it before making the decision, and they are both very excited about it," said Newcastle boss John Fletcher.

"Brian agrees it is a positive move to give him a run at number 15."

Josh Lewsey, Iain Balshaw and Jason Robinson are likely to vie for the full-back shirt for England's opening Six Nations match against Scotland at Twickenham on 3 February.

But Ashton is known as an innovator and Fletcher is adamant that the 20-year-old Tait, famously dropped after one match by former coach Andy Robinson, is versatile enough to adapt to playing at full-back.

Mathew is an outside back, and in my opinion is capable of playing anywhere from 13 outwards Newcastle boss John Fletcher

"England, in my opinion, have a dearth of quality full-backs, and Mathew has characteristics I feel are very well suited to that role," said Fletcher.

"He certainly has a long-term future in the game, but in what position doesn't really concern me.

"Mathew is an outside back, and in my opinion is capable of playing anywhere from 13 outwards.

"I think he will be a sensational full-back, and it was always part of my planning to give him a run there at some point.

"I don't think there is as much room to play at outside centre as there used to be with the way teams defend now, so if you want to bring your strike-runners into the game, then full-back is the best place to do it from because of the options and the space you have."

"Whether or not it means he will be a contender for England at full-back isn't something I can say, that's up to Brian.

"But having spoken to him (Ashton) about it, I don't think he is someone who gets too emotional about the number on a player's back."