Brief previews, predictions and player penpics for Australia vs France, South Africa vs World XV, and Argentina vs Ireland.

AUSTRALIA vs FRANCE
Saturday, June 7, 10:00 GMT, Brisbane

No place for either Will Genia or James Horwill in the Australian run-on side, with Stephen Moore captaining for the first time and Sam Carter winning a first cap. Tevita Kuridrani and Israel Folau will be the focal point of the attack, with Bernard Foley earning his first test start. Félix Le Bourhis makes his French debut on the wing, with Rémi Lamerat waiting on the bench. Gaël Fickou forms a dangerous attacking midfield with Wesley Fofana, and stand-in captain Nicolas Mas leads a meaty pack.

Expect Les Bleus to try and exploit the weak Wallaby scrum, but they appear to be betting heavily on a strong performance from Freddie Michalak. Australia will look for quick ball to take advantage of their own creative backline. This one will be close but Australia takes it in the end by around 7 points.

Referee: Craig Joubert (SARU)
Assistants: Chris Pollock (NZRU) & Garratt Williamson (NZRU)
TMO: Ben Skeen (NZRU)

SOUTH AFRICA vs WORLD XV
Saturday, June 7, 15:00 GMT, Cape Town

Silly name for a side that should really be the SA Barbarians, but a reasonable selection of players that could cause a few problems. Matt Giteau should enjoy having the likes of Rene Ranger and Hosea Gear outside him, while Alistair Hargreaves and Juandré Kruger will make the lineouts competitive. The Boks have picked a team primed for success in 2007, with old timers Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha reunited in the second row. Thankfully Ruan Pienaar and Morné Steyn should combine to keep things as pedestrian as possible.

This should be a battle of opposing philosophies as the invitational side look to throw the ball around a bit while the dinosaurs will play position and aim to set a record for lineout takes in a single match. South Africa will inevitably score some penalty goals or the odd try from a rolling maul and win a match best watched on fast forward by around 12 points.

Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
Assistants: Lourens van der Merwe (SARU) & Quinton Immelman (SARU)
TMO: Deon van Blommestein (SARU)

ARGENTINA vs IRELAND
Saturday, June 7, 18:40 GMT, Resistencia

Mix-and-match sides from both teams give this one an unusual feel. Argentina are resting players for the Rugby Championship while Ireland have left some tired bodies at home along with a few injuries. A massive Pumas pack features debutant Ramiro Herrera at tighthead, giant lock Tomás Lavanini, and promising loosehead Lucas Noguera Paz. Ireland hand Robbie Diack a first cap on the flank, a first start to Jordi Murphy at no8, and newcomers Rodney Ah You and Kieran Marmion on the bench.

A good amount of rust should be shed during the first forty, with a vociferous home crowd spurring Argentina on to some points. The class of the Six Nations champions and perhaps a couple key substitutions should tilt things back in their favour. Take the visitors to win a tough battle against an understrength but game Pumas team. Ireland by 5.

Referee: Glen Jackson (NZRU)
Assistants: Mike Fraser (NZRU) & Jaco van Heerden (SARU)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (SARU)