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Friday, 28 June, 2002, 09:26 GMT 10:26 UK

French assess World Cup options

Sebastian Chabal takes on the Argentina defence

Sebastian Chabal is a contender for a World Cup place

France will have one eye on next year's World Cup as they assess several players in Saturday's second Test against Australia.

But the Six Nations champions still hope to have sufficient strength in depth to end their southern hemisphere tour on a high in Sydney.

The French are seeking to avoid a third straight Test defeat after last week's 29-17 loss to the world champions in Melbourne followed a surprise reverse in Argentina.

The visitors appeared jaded after just three days' preparation following their long flight from Buenos Aires.

We've got to keep the ball better and get quality ball to the backs

France No 8 Imanol Harinordoquy

But having made six changes for their last tilt at the Wallabies before the 2003 World Cup, France are expected to provide a closer contest at Stadium Australia.

"We ran the rule over players in the last two Tests and this tour has allowed us to test players," team manager Jo Maso said. "But we'll be even happier if we win on Saturday."

France, who have not won in Australia for 12 years, have rested openside flanker Olivier Magne to assess the big-match capabilities of Bourgoin's Sebastien Chabal.

Raphael Ibanez returns to the starting side after appearing as a replacement for Olivier Azam in the first Test.

The veteran hooker takes over the captaincy from lock Fabien Pelous and will lead France for the 26th time on the occasion of his 55th cap.

France forward Olivier Magne tries to get the ball away under pressure in the first Test.
Magne is likely to come on for the last half-hour

Other changes in the pack see loosehead prop Jean-Jacques Crenca replace Arnaud Martinez, while Olivier Brouzet returns in the second row for Christophe Porcu.

In the backs, Gerald Merceron regains the fly-half spot from Francois Gelez, while Federic Michalak, seen as a long-term successor to veteran captain Fabien Galthie, retains the scrum-half berth.

The other changes see Pepito Elhorga move from full-back to the left wing in place of the injured Nicolas Jeanjean, with Nicolas Brusque taking the number 15 jersey.

There could be a further late change with centre Damien Traille, who twisted his right ankle last weekend, struggling to be fit.

We're a very enthused tight five and we're going out there to do a job on Saturday night

Wallaby prop Bill Young

If he fails to make it, Traille will be replaced by Colomiers' Yannick Jauzion, with Gelez coming onto the bench.

Australia have also made two enforced changes, with hooker Brendan Cannon and number eight David Lyons taking over from injured duo Jeremy Paul and Toutai Kefu.

Australia: 15-Chris Latham; 14-Wendell Sailor, 13-Matthew Burke, 12-Daniel Herbert, 11-Stirling Mortlock; 10-Stephen Larkham, 9-George Gregan (captain); 8-David Lyons; 7-George Smith, 6-Owen Finegan, 5-Justin Harrison, 4-Nathan Sharpe, 3-Patricio Noriega, 2-Brendan Cannon, 1-Bill Young.

Replacements: 16-Sean Hardman, 17-Rod Moore, 18-Daniel Vickerman, 19-Matt Cockbain, 20-Chris Whitaker, 21-Elton Flatley, 22-Mat Rogers.

France: 15-Nicolas Brusque; 14-Aurelien Rougerie, 13-Tony Marsh, 12-Damien Traille or Yannick Jauzion, 11-Pepito Elhorga; 10-Gerald Merceron, 9-Federic Michalak; 8-Imanol Harinordoquy, 7-Sebastien Chabal, 6-Serge Betsen, 5-Olivier Brouzet, 4-Fabien Pelous, 3-Sylvain Marconnet, 2-Raphael Ibanez (captain), 1-Jean Jacques Crenca.

Replacements: 16-Olivier Azam, 17-Jean Baptiste Poux, 18-Christophe Porcu, 19-Olivier Magne, 20-Pierre Mignoni, 21-Yannick Jauzion or Francois Gelez, 22-Cedric Heymans.

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