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Tait's inclusion, after a spell when his versatility led to a regular place on the bench, helps make up what looks to be the most exciting lineup of backs in Johnson's 22 months as team manager
Tait was one of six changes, four behind the scrum, made by 2003 World Cup winning captain Johnson to the team beaten 19-6 by New Zealand at Twickenham last time out in November.
Tait, selected at outside centre, will partner New Zealand-born Riki Flutey, fit after a shoulder injury, in midfield after Johnson dropped Ayoola Erinle and Danny Hipkiss from the team that played the All Blacks.
Delon Armitage, who was also sidelined in November by shoulder problems, returns at full-back after seeing off a challenge from the uncapped Ben Foden while Danny Care replaces Paul Hodgson at scrum-half.
Mark Cueto moves across from full-back to his more accustomed right wing berth with Matt Banahan, who played against New Zealand, dropped.
Up front, fit-again Nick Easter returns at No 8 in a revamped back-row, while David Wilson starts in the front row in place of Duncan Bell.
Saturday's match will see Tait, who'll be celebrating his 24th birthday, make only his second England start since the 2007 World Cup final defeat by South Africa, where his searing break almost led to a try.
Of his 32 caps, only 15 have come as a starting player with Tait having suffered for being known as a "utility back" and being regarded as too lightweight for Test rugby after being dumped on his back on his debut as an 18-year-old by Wales centre Gavin Henson in 2005.
But he has thrived this season in midfield for Sale Sharks.
And with Johnson, who has overseen just six wins from his 14 Tests in charge, admitting he was "over-prescriptive" in his instructions in November, he will have a key role in livening up a ponderous attack that managed just one try in three matches during the November Tests.
"There's always been a lot of speculation about Mat in my time in charge," Johnson told reporters at England's training base on Tuesday.
"Matt has got a very strong all-round game in attack and with his kicking ability. His defence is under-rated. This is a good opportunity for Mat to get in there and play.
"He's been through a heck of a lot," Johnson added. "He's only coming up to 24, he's a bright, mature guy.
"It is good to get them back," said Johnson. "With Riki and Delon, we picked them all through last year and they took their chance.
"It was a blow to lose Riki in the autumn. He has trained really well over the last 10 days and fitted right back in.
"We can't afford to have our nine and 10 caught with the football," said England backs coach Brian Smith.
Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, was due to announce his team last weekend but he is now waiting on the outcome of full-back Lee Byrne's appeal on Tuesday against a two-week ban for briefly appearing as an illegal 16th man during the Ospreys' European Cup win over Leicester.
Saturday's match marks the centenary of the first Test at Twickenham, when England played Wales in 1910.
Also on the bench is Leicester Tigers fly half Toby Flood, another player back in the squad after injury ruled him out of the autumn programme.
ENGLAND TEAM
15 Delon Armitage (London Irish) , 14 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks) , 13 Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks) , 12 Riki Flutey (CA Brive) , 11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins) , 10 Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon) , 9 Danny Care (Harlequins) , 1 Tim Payne (London Wasps) , 2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) , 3 David Wilson (Bath Rugby) , 4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps) , 5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, captain) , 6 James Haskell (Stade Francais) , 7 Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers) , 8 Nick Easter (Harlequins)
Replacements , 16 Steve Thompson (CA Brive) , 17 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) , 18 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers) , 19 Steffon Armitage (London Irish) , 20 Paul Hodgson (London Irish) , 21 Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers) , 22 Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)
