Australia coach Robbie Deans believes the certainty and inspiration that fit-again Jonny Wilkinson brings to England will make them even more dangerous opponents at Twickenham on Saturday.

Wilkinson kicked the drop goal that sunk the Wallabies in the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney, but has suffered a raft of serious injuries over the past six years.

The fly-half has been rejuvenated since his summer move to French club Toulon, however, and has recently labelled himself a "way better" player than he was in 2003.

Fully fit and in great form, Wilkinson is the man Australia most fear ahead of this weekend’s Cook Cup match, which kicks off the Wallabies' four-match tour of Britain and Ireland.

"His influence on his peers will be valuable in terms of the confidence he'll bring to them (England)," Deans told reporters in London on Monday.

"There will be a lot of expectation on him to play at the same standard that he's renowned for. I don't think that pressure or expectation will be a big deal for Jonny. He's very experienced - it's not as though he's just arrived on the scene.

"He essentially won England the World Cup so inevitably there will be a lot of expectation. But I don't imagine he'll have changed much as a player.

"I think the most critical element that has happened to England is the introduction of Jonny because that has brought a lot more certainty around their game."

Matt Giteau will this weekend go toe to toe with Wilkinson, Test rugby’s leading points scorer, for the first time as a fly-half and the Wallaby star cannot speak highly enough of the 30-year-old.

"Every time Jonny has played for England he's inspired the players around him," Giteau said.

"His kicking game steers the team around really well, he's got a lot of experience and has proved time and time again that he's a big-game player.

"If you're ill-disciplined, he's capable of kicking them from anywhere."

The Wallabies arrived on European soil on Sunday, fresh from a 32-19 Bledisloe Cup defeat to New Zealand in Tokyo, their seventh successive loss against their trans-Tasman rivals.

Deans’ men are looking to emulate Australia’s legendary 1984 'grand-slammers' but having lost five of their six matches in the recent Tri-Nations, and then again in Japan, the pressure is on to produce the goods in the Test arena.

Deans has brought a young squad on tour - there are only three players aged 30 or over in the party -- but the New Zealander is adamant the trip is not just about development.

"The suggestion is that we've left a lot of blokes behind when they could be here," said Deans.

"The reality is (prop) Al Baxter is the only player who is fit who we've left behind. We've haven't left anyone behind with the idea of using them in the future. We want to win every match this tour."

England are without a host of key players for Saturday's match because of injury, but Australia have had their problems too.

Former skipper Stirling Mortlock will only return to action next week while vice-captain Berrick Barnes joined injured quartet Nathan Sharpe, Phil Waugh, Nick Cummins and Rob Horne in the treatment room when he tore ankle ligaments in training last week.

It robs Giteau of a chance to further his blossoming midfield partnership with Barnes, which has been one of this year's bright spots for Deans.

"The way we were training before Berrick got injured was great," said Giteau. "We had a good combination and I think we were training the best we ever have. From that point of view, it’s very disappointing not to have Berrick here. He's a huge loss."

Lock Dean Mumm will lead a second-string Wallabies side against English club Gloucester on Tuesday, with centre Ryan Cross the only player remaining from the team that started against the All Blacks.

Deans insisted places were still up for grabs for Saturday, describing the Gloucester game as "definitely relevant in terms of selection."

AFP

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