By Bryn Palmer

Smith can play at number 12 or 13

Jeremy Guscott believes Leicester's Ollie Smith and Newcastle's 18-year-old Mathew Tait should be England's centres for the Six Nations opener in Wales.

Mike Tindall, Will Greenwood and now Stuart Abbott are all out injured.

"I am sure Smith would have played in the autumn if he was fit and for me he would be a dead cert," Guscott said.

"It would be a case of whether he plays with Tait or Jamie Noon. I would go for Tait because he has so much gas. I would have no problem throwing him in."

Robinson keeps captaincy

Tait could become the first 18-year-old to play for England since Jonny Wilkinson made his debut as a replacement against Ireland in 1998.

Smith has got to be thinking: 'This is my chance.' Jeremy Guscott

But former England and Lions centre Guscott has no qualms about his inexperience being a hindrance at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

"People say he hasn't got the experience but the only way you get experience is by playing," Guscott told BBC Sport.

"The great thing is England are not expected to do great things this year and Andy Robinson has the chance to experiment if he wants and give these youngsters a chance.

"Someone's misfortune is someone else's opportunity and professional rugby is pretty ruthless these days.

"As disappointed as someone like Smith would be for Stuart Abbott and the others, deep down he has got to be thinking: 'This is my chance.'"

Tait has shot into contention

Smith, Tait and Noon are all attending a three-day England training session in Leeds, with Olly Barkley and Henry Paul the other recognised centres in the squad.

Ben Cohen, recently switched from wing to centre by his club Northampton, is another possibility.

With Jason Robinson, Mark Cueto and Josh Lewsey likely to retain their places in the back three, Robinson is likely to require a back-up goalkicker - at least in the match-day 22.

"If Charlie Hodgson doesn't kick well, where does he go?" Guscott added.

I think that Smith and Noon should be the centres with Tait on the bench From SP Have your say on Scrum V

Paul was replaced against Australia after only 25 minutes in England's final autumn Test, but has retained his place in the Six Nations training squad.

"I feel sorry for Henry Paul, because I think they picked him and then played him a different way to the way he does at Gloucester," Guscott added.

"It was a bit of an odd selection but his club form was good at the time. It will be difficult for him to push his way back in now though with Gloucester not playing well."