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The Wallabies are looking to end their dismal European tour on a high with a win over France. A victory would prevent a winless tour record for the first time in over 60 years. That mission just became more difficult for the Wallabies, with the late withdrawals of Carter Gordon and Billy Pollard. Gordon has been battling a quad issue ever since being called into the squad, limiting his chances to just one start against Italy. Pollard has picked up a hip pointer injury. Both were given a medical assessment on Friday at the Wallabies captain's run and were ruled out.
This has forced Schmidt to give the starting duties to Tane Edmed and Matt Faessler, with Hamish Stewart and Josh Nasser called in as bench cover. The uncertainty around the number 10 jersey continues as the merry-go-round of starting 10 adds another chapter this weekend. It begs the question why James O’Connor was left out of the squad. Schmidt sensationally dropped the veteran playmaker after he started against Ireland.
“I would have it would have been great to keep James with us, but with Carter and Tane and Hamish there to cover. It was an extra player that we that would have been a luxury,” Schmidt explained to media.
“I was pretty keen for him to feel comfortable. He's only just settling into Leicester and talking to James this morning, he said um there's been a bit of nice blue sky there. He intends to to keep building his building his game and he certainly has always displayed a real passion to play for the Wallabies. That hasn't gone away and he was involved in some some really big performances for us.”
Meanwhile, Schmidt has handed a potential debut to young Queensland Reds scrumhalf Kalani Thomas, after being named on the bench for the France test.
Dylan Pietsch moves on the wing in place of Filipo Daugunu, while Angus Bell will earn his 50th cap for the Wallabies in the number 1 jersey. Most of the starting line-up from the Ireland test has been retained, with the exception of Nick Frost named to start, shuffling Tom Hooper to flanker to form a backrow partnership with Fraser McReight and skipper Harry Wilson.
The Wallabies will play France at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, with the French side naming a formidable pack and experience in the backs.
Australia Starting XV (1-15) Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Jake Gordon, Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Harry Potter, Max Jorgensen
Australia Replacements (16-23) Josh Nasser, Aidan Ross, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Kalani Thomas, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu
France Starting XV (1-15) Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand, Regis Montagne, Thibaud Flament, Emmanuel Meafou, Anthony Jelonch, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt, Maxime Lucu, Romain Ntamack, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Gael Fickou, Nicolas Depoortere, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos
France Replacements (16-23) Maxime Lamothe, Rodrigue Neti, Thomas Laclayat, Romain Taofifenua, Hugo Auradou, Oscar Jegou, Baptiste Jauneau, Kalvin Gourgues
