France's autumn international matches conclude with the much-anticipated visit of Australia to the Stade de France on Saturday, as both teams look to end their year on a high.
The hosts are bidding for a third straight victory after wins over Fiji and Argentina, but the Wallabies will be looking to end their European tour with a convincing performance after a 35-18 defeat by England on November 13.
Australia won 32-14 in Italy last weekend, but the trip to Paris provides the opportunity for Robbie Deans' side to sign off for 2010 with the scalp of one of rugby's true global powers.
"On paper, it's the best France team that I've seen for two or three years," said Australia centre Berrick Barnes. "It's a huge challenge for us. They've lined up their real stars, the big boys."
France's players have been equally complimentary about their opponents, with Aurelien Rougerie calling on his team-mates to keep their focus at all times.
"They're a very mobile, complete team," said the Clermont centre.
"You obviously have to say that Australia are a very good team who cause problems for lots of defences and who have players of real quality.
"We won't talk ourselves down either, there's no point, but we'll have to be vigilant. They have lots of individuality with (Adam Ashley) Cooper, (Matt) Giteau and (Drew) Mitchell, plus (Kurtley) Beale at full-back; it's the stuff of dreams."
France coach Marc Lievremont has opted for stability in his line-up, with Fulgence Ouedraogo and Jerome Porical the only additions to the XV that started the 15-9 defeat of Argentina.
Montpellier flanker Ouedraogo replaces Julien Bonnaire in the back row to form a pair of "number 10-hunters" -- according to Lievremont --alongside captain Thierry Dusautoir, with Porical coming in at full-back.
Second row forward Lionel Nallet was forced out of training on Thursday due to back pain, but it is not believed to be serious enough to jeopardise his participation in Saturday's match.
Prop Thomas Domingo (thigh) and substitute centre Fabrice Estebanez (knee) also cut short their training sessions on Thursday as a precaution.
Deans has brought scrum-half Will Genia and winger James O'Connor back into his side.
Genia was on the bench for the win over Italy as he recovered from bruised ribs and cartilage damage sustained in the loss to England at Twickenham.
O'Connor returns to the line-up after a short spell at home in Australia following the death of a family member.
Barnes has held onto his place at centre after converting eight of nine kicks in Italy, with the experienced Giteau relegated to the bench as a result.
"Berrick played first centre in our match against France in Sydney last year (a 34-13 win for the hosts)," explained Deans.
"(Barnes and Giteau) aren't totally different but they have specific qualities. We think that Berrick will be more useful to us."
France have not beaten Australia since 2005 and the Wallabies are the only team out of the three Southern Hemisphere giants -- including South Africa and New Zealand -- against whom France are yet to prevail under Lievremont.
With the Six Nations just around the corner and next year's World Cup to follow, Domingo sees Saturday's game as the ideal opportunity for France to gauge their progress under Lievremont since he took the reins in 2008.
"The priority is to win," said Domingo.
"If we lose, even if we've played a good match, we'll take away nothing but the defeat. We absolutely have to win to feel good in our heads. The manner of victory comes afterwards."
The hosts are bidding for a third straight victory after wins over Fiji and Argentina, but the Wallabies will be looking to end their European tour with a convincing performance after a 35-18 defeat by England on November 13.
Australia won 32-14 in Italy last weekend, but the trip to Paris provides the opportunity for Robbie Deans' side to sign off for 2010 with the scalp of one of rugby's true global powers.
"On paper, it's the best France team that I've seen for two or three years," said Australia centre Berrick Barnes. "It's a huge challenge for us. They've lined up their real stars, the big boys."
France's players have been equally complimentary about their opponents, with Aurelien Rougerie calling on his team-mates to keep their focus at all times.
"They're a very mobile, complete team," said the Clermont centre.
"You obviously have to say that Australia are a very good team who cause problems for lots of defences and who have players of real quality.
"We won't talk ourselves down either, there's no point, but we'll have to be vigilant. They have lots of individuality with (Adam Ashley) Cooper, (Matt) Giteau and (Drew) Mitchell, plus (Kurtley) Beale at full-back; it's the stuff of dreams."
France coach Marc Lievremont has opted for stability in his line-up, with Fulgence Ouedraogo and Jerome Porical the only additions to the XV that started the 15-9 defeat of Argentina.
Montpellier flanker Ouedraogo replaces Julien Bonnaire in the back row to form a pair of "number 10-hunters" -- according to Lievremont --alongside captain Thierry Dusautoir, with Porical coming in at full-back.
Second row forward Lionel Nallet was forced out of training on Thursday due to back pain, but it is not believed to be serious enough to jeopardise his participation in Saturday's match.
Prop Thomas Domingo (thigh) and substitute centre Fabrice Estebanez (knee) also cut short their training sessions on Thursday as a precaution.
Deans has brought scrum-half Will Genia and winger James O'Connor back into his side.
Genia was on the bench for the win over Italy as he recovered from bruised ribs and cartilage damage sustained in the loss to England at Twickenham.
O'Connor returns to the line-up after a short spell at home in Australia following the death of a family member.
Barnes has held onto his place at centre after converting eight of nine kicks in Italy, with the experienced Giteau relegated to the bench as a result.
"Berrick played first centre in our match against France in Sydney last year (a 34-13 win for the hosts)," explained Deans.
"(Barnes and Giteau) aren't totally different but they have specific qualities. We think that Berrick will be more useful to us."
France have not beaten Australia since 2005 and the Wallabies are the only team out of the three Southern Hemisphere giants -- including South Africa and New Zealand -- against whom France are yet to prevail under Lievremont.
With the Six Nations just around the corner and next year's World Cup to follow, Domingo sees Saturday's game as the ideal opportunity for France to gauge their progress under Lievremont since he took the reins in 2008.
"The priority is to win," said Domingo.
"If we lose, even if we've played a good match, we'll take away nothing but the defeat. We absolutely have to win to feel good in our heads. The manner of victory comes afterwards."
