Already weakened by a few injuries, including that of the colossal Will Skelton, Australia will have to do without two of their intended starters against France on Saturday. Injured, fly-half Carter Gordon and hooker Billy Pollard will be unable to take their places.

Gordon will be replaced by the young Tane Edmed while Pollard is deputised for by Matt Faessler. Two blows for Joe Schmidt’s men, who are hoping for a positive result in Saint-Denis to avoid finding themselves in pot 2 at their own World Cup.

On the bench, the versatile fly-half or centre Hamish Stewart comes into the group, as does hooker or prop Josh Nasser.