Talking to Stephen Larkham is a neck-ricking experience for the vertically restrained. One profile puts him at 188cm, a later one at 189cm, which, if to be trusted, suggests the tallest stand-off in rugby has been growing in more than stature - a disturbing thought.

But, for all the praise that has come his way since he made a major impact for the Wallabies on tour here in 1998, Larkham is aware that a couple of bad games, a few more on the bench, one long spell out through an injury too many, and the Australian propensity for cutting down their tall poppies might be visited upon him.

There was a quiet murmur that Larkham's performance against Ireland at Lansdowne Road last weekend was enough for him to be dropped for yesterday's match against England at Twickenham. If Australia's cricket selectors could dispense with such a major talent as Mark Waugh in one quick swish of the axe, would their rugby counterparts be as ruthless with Larkham? Sentiment is not greatly valued in Australian sport.

One clue the doomsayers picked up on was the fact that Eddie Jones replaced him with his younger rival Elton Flatley in the second half in Dublin, the coach pointing out afterwards that it wasn't just Larkham's hamstring injury that forced the change. Jones, not a man for subtleties, wasn't happy with his star's performance.

Thankfully for Larkham and those who admire his genius, no execution took place. Instead, Flatley reverted to centre although, as the Queenslander saw his selection, it was more as an alternative fly-half, sharing duties with Larkham either side of the scrum.

'No, I'm not too worried,' Larkham said at training last week. 'I know nobody is guaranteed a place in the team and that's the way it should be. Nobody played brilliantly [against Ireland] but I know I can put that behind me. Eddie has a squad system, which I think works well because it keeps the opposition guessing, but I'm always keen to start each game, as is Elton.

'The coach has been doing this the whole year. It's not a problem. He has to introduce fresh blood. It's about what is best for the team, and there is always pressure to hold your spot.'

Jones is too clever at diverting hard questions to say on tour that one or the other has the upper hand but, going back a little way, he did seem to give the game away at home.

When Larkham returned from injury for the Test against France, even though Flatley had figured prominently in the previous match, the coach observed: 'Elton played exceptionally well against the Maoris, but having Steve back just adds a little bit more to our array of attacking skills.'

Which it does. Both are wonderful talents, but in different ways. Larkham is the mercurial one of the pair, Australia's answer to Gregor Townsend, a stand-off of such obvious vision and tactical awareness yet prone to the occasional lapse.

Flatley does not quite have the range of options available to Larkham - whose combination with his scrum-half and captain George Gregan is almost telepathic - but his passing and kicking in all phases of the game are near flawless.

Yesterday's was only Flatley's sixth start in 20 Tests, the previous match being at inside-centre against Wales a year ago. Larkham has 53 Tests to his name.

Yet, after all the debate, there is no escaping the sheer class of the man from Canberra. He is a most unusual stand-off, neither stirringly quick nor obviously a line-buster. But he has the uncanny gift of expanding time, moving comfortably in small spaces close to the ruck and being where Gregan expects him to be. His anticipation and coolness are unmatched.

Seven years ago, he was a second XV scrum-half at club level. The following season he switched to full-back with the ACT Brumbies and his rugby blossomed. He made his Test debut against Wales in 1996, toured Europe with the Wallabies that northern winter, filling in for Matt Burke at full-back.

But it was always going to be behind the scrum where Larkham's gifts would be seen to the best advantage. It was on the tour of 1998 that he really caught the eye, scoring a remarkable try against Scotland.

Thereafter he has been widely regarded as the most talented No 10 in the game, not always on his best form, but always dangerous. He has struggled with a hamstring injury for a couple of seasons and also picked up a hyper-extension to his elbow. 'It's all fine now,' he said last week. 'You cope with these things.' And he's never flinched in defence, regularly clocking up a dozen tackles a game. He has remarked in the past that he'd like to play on until he's 40 if his body holds up. That would not best please Mr Flatley, whatever the appearances of a team ethic in this Australian team.

As for these one-off Tests against northern hemisphere opposition, the tourists seem to be unanimously of the opinion that the performance is more important than the result.

'Yes, they're good preparation for the World Cup, tough contests that bring the best out in you,' says Larkham. 'Who's going to the tournament as favourite? Hmm... Well, England have to be right in the frame. They're playing very well. I didn't think they deserved too much criticism for their performance against the All Blacks last week, because they always look to put points on the board early and then make you make mistakes catching up. But the Blacks responded well too.'

Kind words. But, come the World Cup, they will all be forgotten. For Larkham, the only game that really matters is the next one - and you wouldn't bet against him playing the 12 years until he's 40 either.

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