FRANCE v AUSTRALIA:THE WALLABIES are looking to make it a uniquely successful day for Australian rugby in the French capital tonight (kick-off: 8pm; live on Setanta Ireland).

If the temperatures at Stade de France are likely to be a lot chillier than in Brisbane 12 hours earlier when the Kangaroos can expect victory in rugby league's World Cup final, the heat is on France's coach Marc Lievremont.

Lievremont has picked a strong line-up, but Australia have been warmed by their victory at Twickenham which followed a more laboured win in Italy and an unbeaten tour of Europe, where they also play Wales and the Barbarians next week, as their Kiwi coach Robbie Deans' reputation continues to grow.

The Wallabies buried their reputation as soft scrummagers while grinding English pretensions into the Twickenham turf last weekend while France pay them the compliment of picking a strong frontrow tonight that includes the Sale loosehead prop Lionel Faure.Lievremont has recalled another Sale forward, Sebastien Chabal.

Guardian Service

FRANCE:M Medard, J Malzieu, Y Jauzion, B Baby, C Heymans, D Skrela, S Tillous-Borde, I Harinordoquy, F Ouedraogo, T Dusautoir, L Nallet (capt), S Chabal, N Mas, D Szarzewski, L Faure. Replacements: B Kayser, B Lecouls, R Millo Chluski, L Picamoles, J Tomas, D Traille, A Palisson.

AUSTRALIA:A Ashley-Cooper, P Hynes, R Cross, S Mortlock (capt), D Mitchell, M Giteau, L Burgess, W Palu, G Smith, D Mumm, N Sharpe, H McMeniman, A Baxter, S Moore, B Alexander. Replacements: T Polota-Nau, S Kepu, M Chisholm, D Pocock, S Cordingley, Q Cooper, D Ioane.

Referee:Craig Joubert (South Africa)