Lawrence Dallaglio, the former England World Cup winner writes for The Northern Echo.

THE challenge facing Martin Johnson’s men is 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.

It’s Australia today and the Wallabies are having a tough time at the moment.

A disastrous Tri-Nations campaign yielded a solitary win from six.

The team has a new captain in Rocky Elsom and it will be interesting to see how he handles the responsibility.

It looked an easy decision for coach Robbie Deans to offer him the captaincy.

Elsom was inspirational in Leinster’s maiden European Cup triumph last season and will be eager to bring similar success to the international arena.

Faced by a spiralling injury list, Martin Johnson’s team selection makes for interesting reading.

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 Phil Vickery ruled out.

After dislocating his shoulder playing for Sale against London Irish a couple of weeks ago, 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 fully merits his place in the starting line-up 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, is the return of Jonny Wilkinson.

His move to France has done him a world of good and he believes he is playing some of the best rugby of his career.

His performances have been of the highest order and his recent man-of-thematch display against Saracens in the Amlin Challenge Cup reminded me of the Wilkinson of 2003.

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

Outside him Shane Geraghty gets the nod at insidecentre after some impressive displays for new club Northampton. A lot has been spoken about the Wilkinson-Geraghty pairing and 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.

Ugo Monye and Matt Banahan had impressive summers with the Lions and England respectively and I expect them to make an impact from full back and the wing. Both are blessed with pace and power and should cause Australia’s backs some real issues.

The Wallabies, who warmed up for Twickenham with defeat to New Zealand in Tokyo, 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.

The Wallabies will be hoping the right Giteau turns up come 2.30pm.

After troubled preparations both teams will be wanting to restore some pride and, with Wilkinson back in the mix, Twickenham could well be in for a vintage performance.