FRANCE V AUSTRALIA AT STADE DE FRANCE, 9.00PM SATURDAY (0700 SUNDAY AEDT)
Head to head: Played 46, Australia 26, France 18, Drawn 2
PAST TEN MEETINGS:
2014: France 29-26, Stade de France, Paris
2014: Australia 39-13, Sydney
2014: Australia 6-0, Melbourne
2014: Australia 50-23, Brisbane
2012: France 33-6, Stade de France, Paris
2010: Australia 59-16, Stade de France, Paris
2009: Australia 22-6, Sydney
2008: Australia 18-13, Stade de France, Paris
2008: Australia 40-10, Brisbane
2008: Australia 34-13, Sydney
FRANCE RECENT FORM:
Won 52-8 against Samoa in Toulouse
Won 27-0 against Argentina in Tucuman, Argentina
Lost 30-19 to Argentina in Tucuman, Argentina
AUSTRALIA RECENT FORM
Won 23-22 against Scotland in Edinburgh
Won 32-8 against Wales in Cardiff
Lost 37-10 to New Zealand in Auckland
Key match-ups:
The backrow: Looms as a big strength for Australia despite the huge changes to the starting lineup from the opening two Tests. The outstanding David Pocock remains and, following a stellar outing against Scotland, will be out to continue his ball-stealing form. He is joined by the energetic Sean McMahon and World Cup regular Scott Fardy to form an experienced and exciting trio.
The halves: Former Queensland teammates Will Genia and Quade Cooper will link up again in a familiar combination, with the outing set to provide Cooper a good opportunity to remind coach Michael Cheika that he still has plenty to offer. Cooper appears to have lost the starting No.10 role to Bernard Foley for the foreseeable future but Cooper still has plenty left on the tank in the right situation.
The wings: The excitement machines Noa Nakaitaci and Wesley Fofana will ensure the Australian defence can never switch off, for fear of being punished by two of the more dangerous prospects in world rugby. On the other side of the field, Henry Speight looked shaky under the high ball against Scotland and would dearly love to find his best form quickly - while Sefa Naivalu gets a maiden Test start.
TEAMS (15-1):
Australia: Luke Morahan, Sefa Naivalu, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Henry Speight, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Sean McMahon, David Pocock, Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas, Allan Alaalatoa, Tevita Latu, James Slipper. Reserves: Stephen Moore, Scott Sio, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Lopeti Timani, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Taqele Naiyavoro (one to be omitted)
France: Scott Spedding, Noa Nakaitaci, Remi Lamerat, Wesley Fofana, Virimi Vakatawa, Jean-Marc Doussain, Maxime Machenaud, Louis Picamoles, Kevin Gourdon, Charles Ollivon, Yoann Maestri, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Uini Atonio, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Cyril Baille. Reserves: Camille Chat, Xavier Chiocci, Rabah Slimani, Julien Le Devedec, Damien Chouly, Baptiste Serin, Camille Lopez, Gael Fickou
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