England warned of Australia strength – MacKay

The fly-half, who played once for the Wallabies in 2005, was in Cardiff last weekend to see Australia defeat Wales and, given their stellar backline, feels his fellow countrymen are more than capable of striking again at Twickenham.

The likes of brilliant full-back Kurtley Beale, devastating winger James O'Connor and legendary centre Matt Giteau have been dovetailing beautifully with the footballing adventure of dashing fly-half Quade Cooper prompting serous fears for the hosts ahead of the second round of Autumn internationals.

"Australia are playing some really good rugby at the moment and that backline is probably playing better than any anywhere," MacKay told the Yorkshire Post last night.

"There's so much confidence in those young boys but the main thing is the forwards are laying a really good platform in all areas except for that problem scrum.

"If it's horrible weather on Saturday it could be a tight tussle as the front five England boys have it over ours.

"But if it's dry, then ours will be able to play with the ball like they have been doing."

MacKay, who signed from Brive during the summer on the recommendation of his former team-mate in France and now Leeds colleague Steve Thompson, admits the Wallabies are thriving following their earlier stunning win over New Zealand.

"I actually caught up with a few of the boys while I was down there last week.

"I'm very close with Nathan Sharpe and I also caught up with Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell. They are all really excited and loving playing at the moment.

"It's amazing what that win in Hong Kong can do to a group of young boys.

"They won against Wales without ever really getting out of third gear."

MacKay is also a huge fan of the talented but maverick Cooper, the sensational 22-year-old who has set the world game alight with his dare and panache.

"He has been amazing so far this season," he said.

"When he first came in he copped a hard time for some of his performances with Queensland but he's well and truly showing what he can do now.

"He's the most exciting 10 in the game in terms of some of the attacking passes he tries.

"I don't know if he is quite where Dan Carter is in terms of being able to control the whole game but he's doing some great things for us and, as an Australian, it's been brilliant to watch."

MacKay's own international career was restricted to that solitary cap earned in Auckland five years ago, a night he recalls fondly even if they did end up on the wrong side of the scoreline.

"Playing against the All Blacks, it is just a surreal experience," he explained,

"Everyone says the same but it's true – you dream as a kid of standing in front of the Haka and singing your national anthem so to get that opportunity was amazing.

"Unfortunately, we didn't come away with the win. Luke McAllister came of the bench for New Zealand to kick some long range penalties and they edged it but it was a real high."

England impressed in patches before losing to the All Blacks themselves last week and MacKay knows Australia will have to raise their game to overcome a side that defeated them in Sydney during the summer.

"Having lost back in June, there is a lot of pressure to turn things around," he added.

"There's a few more games between Australia and England nowadays but still no where near as many as in the Tri Nations so they know they have to get one over them when they can.

"Australia certainly don't want to go into a World Cup having lost twice against England."

Meanwhile, the 28 year-old is currently battling a shoulder injury which will prevent him from playing in Sunday's LV Cup game with Sale Sharks at Headingley.

"I've been resting it these last couple of weeks because I want to get it right for the big Premiership games coming up," he said, with the bottom-placed Yorkshiremen still seeking their elusive first league win of the season.

"From a personal point of view, it has been a little bit disappointing with the injuries I've had meaning I've missed a bit of time and when I have played I've not done as well as I'd hoped to.

"But from a team point of view, we're not too far off. Hopefully we can get a win on Sunday to take us into a really big month in the league with Exeter, Harlequins and Newcastle."