If Eddie Jones’s young team can challenge the World Cup hosts, Australian rugby may just get the ‘historic reset’ it needs
Jones won’t be deterred. Against what is expected to be a full strength Les Bleus team, Brumbies prop Blake Schoupp and Force halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa are named to debut from the bench with utility Ben Donaldson also selected, and centre Lalakai Foketi and winger Suliasi Vunivalu to start in place of veterans Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi. Frontrower Taniela Tupou returns from rib damage for his first start of 2023.
That decade-long run of close finishes began with a 29-26 win for France in 2014 and then a 25-23 victory for Australia in 2016, both at Stade de France, which will host the 52nd edition on Monday morning . Then came the thrilling 2021 series in Australia won 2-1 by the Wallabies after a trio of high-wire Tests decided by a single kick: 23-21, 26-28 and 33-30.
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