Les Bleus were mauled by the Wallabies a week ago, but it’s a very different French team that Australia will face this week in Melbourne. Philippe Saint-André has never been shy of drastic changes, and has accordingly dropped half his team, with most of his more reputable big guns returning. Ewen McKenzie will no doubt be advising his team that at least the same effort will be required, if not more.
With an abject scrum part of the French letdown, Thomas Domingo and Nicolas Mas have been benched, with Rabah Slimani in at tighthead and uncapped Alexandre Menini at loosehead. Menini is a particularly unusual selection given that he is third choice at Toulon, with younger Xavier Chiocci preferred by Bernard Laporte and most French rugby pundits. These kinds of choices come part-and-parcel with Saint-André, however, so it’s anyone’s guess how it pans out.
Sébastien Vaha’amahina, Fulgence Ouedraogo, and Bernard le Roux have also been dumped, with only the latter finding a place on the bench. Parisian lighthouse Alexandre Flanquart comes in to bolster the lineout, with the Toulouse pairing of Yannick Nyanga and again-captain Thierry Dusautoir on the flank. Clubmate Louis Picamoles will have to settle for a bench spot after Damien Chouly’s strong showing a week ago.
Greater leadership and tactical awareness will be expected from new-old directors Morgan Parra and Rémi Talès, while the menacing Mathieu Bastareaud takes aim at the Wallaby midfield. Out wide retained Yoann Huget is this week joined by his Six Nations mates Maxime Médard and Brice Dulin. Freddie Michalak covers both halfback positions on the bench alongside midfielder Rémi Lamerat.
Australia are forced to pick their third captain in as many tests, with Michael Hooper handed the armband from forlorn casualty Stephen Moore. Tatafu Polota-Nau slots in at hooker, while former captain James Horwill is called in to replace injured Sam Carter at lock. Wycliff Palu is also out with a bad ankle so in-form Ben McCalman starts at the back of the scrum.
The backs are a bit luckier with no injuries or changes to speak of. Three uncapped players adorn the bench, with Nathan Charles covering hooker, Laurie Weeks tighthead, and Luke Jones the second row. All three have enjoyed strong Super Rugby seasons so far and will be raring to go should they be called upon. The last change sees Scott Higginbotham return to the squad. The dynamic back rower would have been favoured by some to start over Scott Fardy, and he will no doubt make the most of his chance when he does come on.
France are tricky to predict at the best of times but they are a certainty to rebound with a much better showing than last week. Dusautoir is a quiet and steadfast leader, while Parra far more a general than deposed Maxime Machenaud. Bastareaud gives the attack a whole new dimension, and will be crucial to breach the defense and get some go-forward. Expect Australia to be up to the task, but by a much smaller margin. Take the home side by 8.
AUSTRALIA vs FRANCE
Saturday, June 14, 10:00 GMT, Melbourne
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistants: Craig Joubert (SARU) & Chris Pollock (NZRU)
TMO: Vinny Munro (NZRU)
