Lol backs 2003 World Cup winning team-mate (From Bucks Free Press)

Lol backs 2003 World Cup winning team-mate

5:20pm Thursday 29th October 2009

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LAWRENCE Dallaglio looks ahead to the autumn internationals - and first up, Australia: The former Wasps and England legend will be writing weekly columns throughout November and in this first installment helooks ahead to Australia on November 7.

AFTER a summer defined by some scintillating Lions rugby in South Africa and some difficult times for the sport back home, it’s time for rugby HQ to take centre stage once again.

Twickenham re-opens its doors for the first time in nearly eight months to stage the autumn internationals, welcoming the Southern Hemisphere’s finest for what will be a fantastic month of rugby.

England last ran out for a competitive fixture at Twickenham in March when Scotland were the visitors for the culmination of the 2009 Six Nations.

The challenge facing Martin Johnson’s men this time is more daunting – Australia, Argentina and New Zealand over consecutive weekends will test the mental strength of a new-look England team determined to improve on recent results against the elite of world rugby.

First up it’s Australia. The Wallabies are having a tough time of things at the moment. A disastrous Tri-Nations campaign yielded a solitary win from six encounters.

The team has a new captain in ex-Leinster man Rocky Elsom and it will be interesting to see how he handles the responsibility. The decision by coach Robbie Deans to offer him the captaincy seemed a straightforward one.

He was inspirational in Leinster’s maiden European Cup triumph last season and will be eager to bring similar success to the international arena – England will have something to say about that.

Johnson’s team selection will make for interesting reading. A spiralling injury list will deprive us from seeing a full strength XV take the field against Australia and with England’s Lions representatives back in contention there will be significant changes from the side that played home and away against Argentina in June. On a positive note, it gives those players knocking on the door a chance to stake their claim for a regular starting berth.

The pack has been hit hardest with Tom Rees, Lee Mears, Andrew Sheridan and most recently Phil Vickery being ruled out. After dislocating his shoulder playing for Sale against London Irish the other night, the loss of Sheridan is a particularly big blow for the team.

Like Sheridan, Tom Croft was outstanding on the Lions tour to South Africa and I hope to see him to start against Australia. The experience he will have gained over the summer will be invaluable in his development and it could be a big year for Tom.

One of the most anticipated aspects of this autumn’s trilogy, which will excite supporters up and down the country, myself included, is the return of Johnny Wilkinson. His move to France has done him a world of good and he himself believes he is playing some of the best rugby of his career.

His performances have been of the highest order and his Man-of-the-Match display against Saracens in the European Challenge Cup a couple of weeks ago reminded me of the Wilkinson of old. The Wilkinson of 2003 to be precise.

At number ten Wilkinson can orchestrate moves, adding fluidity and cohesion to a back line that has lacked direction in recent times.

Outside him Shane Geraghty should get the nod at inside-centre after some impressive displays for new club Northampton.

A lot has been spoken about the Wilkinson-Geraghty pairing and I must say I think it’s a mouth-watering proposition. Adapting to each other’s style of play may take time but both men know what is required of each other’s roles and hopefully this transitional phase will be a smooth one.

Another Northampton man who has come on leaps and bounds over the last 12 months is Ben Foden. Saints coach Jim Mallinder has taken Foden under his wing since he arrived from Sale last season and his performances have been outstanding. He can tackle, pass and is a competent kicker but it’s his ability to break through opposition defences that has really caught the eye. With Delon Armitage missing with a shoulder injury, Foden is the ideal replacement at full back.

Ugo Monye and Matt Banahan had impressive summers with the Lions and England respectively and I expect them to make an impact from the wings.

Both men are blessed with pace and power and should cause Australia’s backs some real issues.

The Wallabies will be looking to dominate up front. After losing the captaincy and having only just recovered from injury it is unclear how much of a role Stirling Mortlock will play.

Matt Giteau is their main man, sensational on his day but question marks still remain over his consistency.

l Lawrence Dallaglio is an ambassador for Greene King IPA, the Official Beer of England Rugby.

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