Australia v Ireland: Gerry Thornley believes Stephen Larkham's presence for Australia is an ominous prospect for Ireland.

Ireland are deemed to be a much better side on this tour than they were last November, primarily because Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll were then hors de combat. Yet the same is undoubtedly true of the Wallabies, if only because Stephen Larkham is back in harness as well. The man's a creative, running genius.

He is, possibly, even more important to the Wallabies than O'Driscoll is to Ireland. Not just a talisman, he is the brains of a clever operation, the creator-in-chief. And along with their primary running weapon, outside centre Stirling Mortlock, Larkham was also sidelined from their November tour last year.

The rest of the Wallabies' backline remain in situ, albeit with Mat Rogers now at 12 rather than 10, and Lote Tuqiri on the wing rather than outside centre, but only three of the pack - Greg Holmes, who scrummaged reasonably well against John Hayes, Nathan Sharpe and George Smith - again line up at the kick-off. But it was the absence of Larkham especially and Mortlock among others that gave Eddie Jones such a difficult hand.

Their sole win in a nine-game run, including a Tri Nations campaign, came at Ireland's expense, 30-14. Their tight five, and especially their scrum, remain a work in progress, to put it mildly, as the new think-tank freely admit. But judging by the way they shredded an admittedly awful English team they demonstrated that with Larkham back running straight and creating space for all around him, the Wallabies' backline is almost back to its best.

Saturday won't be the most opportune moment to do so, but the autumn of Larkham's career has to be enjoyed. He may not have Michael Lynagh's kicking game, but he can have some sumptuous days, while his running and distribution skills rival those of Mark Ella and David Knox. Many believe Larkham may be the best of a rich production line of Wallaby number 10s as well as the most capped.

At 32, he says next year will be his last, and the case for resting him from some of the Brumbies' Super 14 games next year might be the priority in John Connolly's request for selective man-management of his frontliners with the October World Cup in mind. Not only do the Wallabies desperately need him in France but, apart from the currently injured Matt Giteau, who has decamped to the Western Force, there is no obvious cover/replacement.

The softly spoken outhalf yesterday answered questions with his usual consideration, admitting that England were "a fairly average side compared to previous English sides we've faced", whereas this was definitely the best (Irish) side he'd faced in the last 10 years.

Larkham suggested Ireland, aside from making more of an impact at the breakdown, had a much more mobile pack than England's.

"They'll be a little more damaging in attack than the England forward pack. So I don't think there will be as many opportunities for us in attack. We found, particularly late in the halves against England, that there were a lot of opportunities to spread the ball wide, but I think with their mobility they should cover the paddock a lot better."

Larkham praised Ronan O'Gara's as "probably the best kicking game of any number 10 in the world at the moment so no doubt he will play a lot of field position and then they'll look for sparks from individuals like O'Driscoll."

While showcasing the potency of their backline, most of the Wallabies' nine tries against England highlighted their strength off phased possession or off turnovers, and the playmaker accepted they need to show more penetration off set-piece ball, traditionally a Wallaby hallmark.

"Potentially, yes. I think what you've seen over the last few weeks has been a lot of penetration by the outside backs, and we want to have a more complete game, which means some penetration and some flair on the outside, and certainly in the Tri Nations we've got to have both. This weekend we're not targeting one area or anything like that, we just want to read the situation when we get out there. But we're well aware that Ireland are very good at showing you the sideline but then cutting it off."

Under John Connolly and "attack coach" Scott Johnson, the Wallabies now go into games with barely half a dozen set moves as against their traditional 20-plus. They are trusting their talent and "trying to read it on the run". This is very much the Larkham creed, and he admitted he is revelling under the new regime.

"It's a very good environment and that's what you're seeing on the pitch. Everyone is enjoying themselves on the field. We're just trying to get forwards more involved in that sort of stuff as well, because that's where we want to move to."

Larkham's chip through for George Smith's opening try was an example of the Wallabies' new "reading it on the run" philosophy.

"I've always enjoyed my rugby, but when the rest of the team is enjoying themselves as much as I have been over the last couple of years it's really good. Obviously two wins helps as well."