Stephen Larkham will be unleashed at inside centre in next week's Test against Wales as the Wallabies set about broadening their attack in the countdown to the 2007 World Cup in France.

With the sixth edition of rugby's showpiece event now less than a year away, Wallabies coach John Connolly will use the month-long tour of the UK and Italy to trial key players in different positions and there is no more influential performer in the Australian backline than the silky-skilled Larkham.

The Wallabies coaching staff is hoping that playing Larkham wider than his usual role at five-eighth will have twin benefits - helping the Wallabies break down the Welsh's compressed defence and give the team dual playmakers, with Mat Rogers weaving his magic at five-eighth.

If their role reversal proves successful, the change may become permanent.

Wallabies backs coach Scott Johnson, who helped guide Wales to the 2005 Six Nations trophy, is the architect behind the move and Larkham said he was excited about the opportunity to add a new touch to the traditional inside centre role.

"I don't know if I'm going to be used as a running inside centre, someone who will run over the top of people. I don't think I'll be capable of doing that, but a bit of sleight of hand further out might be my go," he said on the eve of the Wallabies' departure for the four-Test tour.

"Playing at 12, I'll probably get a little bit more time, a little bit more time to play with the ball in my hand and sort of size up the opposition and use the ball.

"You can see the defence a lot clearer. You don't have to look at the ruck and worry about when the halfback's going to give you the ball.

"It gives us an opportunity to play with a bit more width and sort of have the fulcrum of our attack a bit wider.

"By the same token, we can use Matty Rogers' skill and pace at five-eighth as well.

"So it's a pretty good balance at the moment. It's really only first phase where the change is going to be. Off phase, we're still going to try and split and play either side of the ruck.

"Everyone at the moment is pretty excited to get out on the paddock to see what we can do. We really want to play well."

With Larkham on his outside and Matt Giteau on the inside in a new-look Australian midfield, Rogers thinks he'll be in rugby heaven at Millennium Stadium in the Wallabies' tour-opening Test.

"It's great having Bernie outside me. He knows what's expected of a No.10 and he takes a lot of pressure off. Having him there, makes the job a little easier, I must say," Rogers said.

"He's in my ear and it's great. He tells me where I want to be. You hear that little voice on your shoulder, which is nice to hear because being a ball receiver or first receiver you're pretty much watching the ruck all the time and you don't get a chance to see what's going on outside you.

"He lets me know and that's great."

Using Giteau and Rogers - two of the most elusive ball-runners in international rugby - as his halves combination is one of the most radical ideas of Connolly's coaching career.

It may also prove a masterstroke.

"Obviously it's untested so we've done a little bit work over the last couple of days and we'll do a little bit more over the next week or so," Rogers said.

"I'm excited about playing with him. Gits is going to draw a lot of attention to himself so hopefully it's going to take a little bit off me."

The Wallabies open their seven-match tour against Welsh side Ospreys in Swansea next Wednesday and will also play mid-week games against Ireland A and Scotland A in addition to the Tests against Wales, Italy, Ireland and Scotland.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP