Mix-and-match tour a leadup to the Cup

Wallabies coach John Connolly is armed with the largest touring party in Australian rugby history as he strives to strike a balance between winning and trialling combinations in the hope of discovering one capable of lifting the World Cup next year.

A 37-man squad, plus 19 coaching and support staff, arrived in Cardiff yesterday ahead of the month-long seven-match tour of Britain and Italy.

In the first match, on Wednesday night (local time), Australia A will take on Ospreys in Swansea.

The Wallabies play tests against Wales, Italy, Ireland and Scotland over the next four weekends, as well as mid-week fixtures against Ireland A and Scotland A.

"It's a dirty job but someone has to do it," Connolly joked as he boarded the flight out of Sydney.

Not so much dirty as challenging, with Connolly and assistant coaches Scott Johnson and Michael Foley having the unenviable task of having less than 12 months to settle on a first-choice line-up to carry Australia's hopes at the sixth World Cup.

Connolly has made no secret of his intention to use the tour to experiment with players in unaccustomed positions, most notably in the backline where centre Matt Giteau will be given time at halfback, Stephen Larkham at second five-eighths and winger Mark Gerrard at first-five.

"The forwards will be very similar to what played [this domestic test season] and players will get rotated in and out as the tour goes on," Connolly said.

Such a vast pool of talent could complicate selections, but Connolly wants to give every player opportunities to state his case for inclusion in the 30-man World Cup squad.

"I would think 25 or 26 players could play test footy on this trip.

"Australian rugby, as the game's evolved from Super 10 to Super 12 to Super 14, has gone from playing eight tests a year to 13 tests a year. You need a squad of 30 who can step up to the mark.

"We saw Australia tour this time last year and struggle because we had a few injuries. I think we've woken up ... you need a fair bit of depth. Building that depth is important."

While satisfied with the progress of his forwards in 2006, Connolly is looking for back-ups to emerge for the Wallabies' world-class backline.

"We've definitely got to broaden our horizons in the backs to have more flexibility. We'd love to see some of those backs really come through - the [Adam] Ashley-Coopers and the [Drew] Mitchells and even [Morgan] Turinui to regain form. There's quite a few players there we'd like to see come home a lot better."

All going to plan, some 45 players will be in contention for the cup.

In addition to the 37 spring tourists, resting captain George Gregan and a clutch of injured candidates - including halfback Sam Cordingley, back-rower Daniel Heenan, hooker Jeremy Paul and prop Greg Holmes - will also be in the mix.

As much as this expedition is about experimentation, though, Connolly also needs results, with the Wallabies under pressure to start reversing an alarming record in tests away from home.

- AAP