Rugby Union: Centre Stage Tait In, Farrell Out

Andy Farrell has again been excused England training this week, further reducing his chances of being involved in next month's series of internationals at Twickenham. Meanwhile, the Newcastle Falcons centre Mathew Tait, took a full part in yesterday's session at Loughborough, despite having yet to play this season after a knee operation.

The England elite squad has been together for a total of eight days in the past fortnight preparing for the four November internationals, but the 31-year-old Farrell, who has only started one match for Saracens since his move from Wigan last year, has only been present for two of them.

England's head coach Andy Robinson said last week that he intended gathering his entire squad, whether fit or not, at Loughborough for the two-day training camp which started yesterday, but Farrell stayed at Saracens while Lawrence Dallaglio and Phil Vickery, who played their first matches of the season for Wasps on Sunday, were also allowed to remain with their club, along with five long-term injury victims.

Farrell has appeared as a substitute for Saracens this season, but chiefly in the back row and England partly financed his transfer and salary on the understanding he would play in the centre. Robinson has met Saracens' director of rugby Alan Gaffney, who was not at the club when Farrell signed, to discuss where the former Great Britain rugby league captain should play. "We had an affable chat and I am sure that Andy will get an opportunity in the centre at the appropriate time," said Gaffney. "The part that annoys me about this is that 12 is a difficult position to play in, one of the most technical on a rugby pitch. The expectations being put on Andy Farrell are beyond belief."

The midfield problems England have suffered this season, with Mike Tindall, Stuart Abbott, Olly Barkley and Mike Catt all missing all or part of the campaign because of injury, underline why Robinson is so keen for Farrell to be tried at inside-centre. The return of the 20-year-old Tait strengthens Robinson's midfield options, while the Leicester scrum-half Scott Bemand was also invited to this week's camp. "There will be stiff competition for places over the next month and it is great to have these players available ahead of selection for the New Zealand game," said Robinson.