Australia v France - teams and prediction

LET THE GAMES BEGIN: Wallaby skipper Michael Hooper is under no illusion that his side has their work cut out against a young French team, despite Les Bleus missing key players and having been confined to 14 days’ quarantine.

The two teams kick off the first of three Tests over 11 days in Brisbane on Wednesday with both eager to prove their credentials.

It will be Australia’s opening Test of the season after just one win from six in an erratic 2020 under new coach Dave Rennie, while France’s inexperienced squad will be desperate to impress boss Fabien Galthie.

Hooper, who is back on home soil after a stint playing in Japan, said he was wary of the unpredictability of a team with seven rookies in their matchday 23.

“They’re going to come out firing, we know that,” the 105-Test flank said Tuesday.

“We know they have been nothing but quality in the Six Nations with some of the firepower they have across the park.

“It’s going to be a great little series, and a challenging series given it is three games in 10 or 11 days,” he added.

Rennie is cautious of France on the counter-attack and off the turnover.

“It’s a very strong squad, maybe not all household names to people in this part of the world,” he said. “Sometimes younger guys are hungrier, desperate to impress and can be more of a handful.”

Galthie, who is missing a host of regulars, including those from Top 14 finalists Toulouse and La Rochelle, has seven uncapped players in his squad, five on the bench.

They include Melvyn Jaminet, a fullback with no top-flight experience, with only winger Damian Penaud, centre Arthur Vincent and stand-in captain Anthony Jelonch remaining in the starting line-up from the last round of the Six Nations, a loss to Scotland in March.

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Massive challenge

Team manager and former captain Raphael Ibanez admitted having such an inexperienced touring party was “a massive challenge”, but “we believe they have enough talent to match the best”.

“I know Australia want to play physical, fast and aggressive rugby and we’ll be ready for that, we’re looking forward to this challenge as a team,” he added.

Despite being allowed to train during their lockdown, Ibanez said it had hampered their preparations, although Hooper saw it differently, suggesting it could work in France’s favour.

“It’s a pretty good camp environment, quarantine. You’re on top of each other, you have no external distractions,” he said.

“It is tricky, but being on top of each other can usually breed some good bonds and it forces guys to spend time in the team.”

Players to watch

For Australia: The Wallabies go into the clash without veteran back James O’Connor, who is injured, but bolstered by playmaker Matt To’omua recovering from a neck strain He will re-ignite his partnership with Hunter Paisami, while Jake Gordon steps in for injured scrumhalf Nic White, who has been ruled out for the series. Noah Lolesio will wear the No.10 jersey in the absence of O’Connor – while Tom Banks, Tom Wright and Marika Koroibete form the back three. Up front, loosehead prop James Slipper will play his 101st Test alongside fellow veteran Hooper. They have four uncapped players on the bench – Lachlan Lonergan, Darcy Swain, Len Ikitau and Andrew Kellaway.

For France: France has brought a young squad, with 21 uncapped players – impacted by injuries and one of their longest ever domestic seasons which ruled out players involved in the Top 14 Final. Only Damian Penaud, Teddy Thomas and Romain Taofifenua have played more than 20 times. Melvyn Jaminet, a fullback with no top-flight experience, is among seven uncapped players. Jaminet, 22, helped Perpignan to promotion to the Top 14 in just his second campaign as a professional player. Castres hooker Gaetan Barlot will also make his debut for Les Bleus. On the bench, forwards Anthony Etrillard, Quentin Walcker, Sipili Falatea and Florent Vanverberghe, as well as 30-year-old scrumhalf Teddy Iribaren are poised to make their first international appearances.

Head to head

Prediction

@rugby365com: Australia by nine points

Teams

Australia: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Matt To’omua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Isi Naisarani, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Len Ikitau, 23 Andrew Kellaway.

France: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Arthur Vincent, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Louis Carbonel, 9 Baptiste Couilloud, 8 Sekou Macalou, 7 Anthony Jelonch (captain), 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Killian Geraci, 3 Demba Bamba, 2 Gaetan Barlot, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Anthony Etrillard, 17 Quentin Walcker, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Florent Vanverberghe, 20 Baptiste Pesenti, 21 Cameron Woki, 22 Teddy Iribaren, 23 Anthony Bouthier.

Date: Wednesday, July 7
Venue: Lang Park, Brisbane
Kick-off: 18.00 (12.00 French time, 10.00 GMT)
Expected weather: Clear, with light winds. High of 20°C, low of 10°C
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Damon Murphy (Australia)
TMO: James Doleman (New Zealand)