In the lead up to the Wallabies opening test against the French this weekend, here are 10 things you need to know about the Wallabies v. France.
1. The last time these two teams met was on the 2012 Spring tour. On that occasion the French smashed Australia 33-6. Only four players who started that match will also start the match on the weekend (Adam Ashley-Cooper, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu and Wycliff Palu)
2. Overall they have played 42 times. Australia have won 23 matches, France have won 17 matches and there have been 2 draws.
3. Australia have won five out of the last six games games they played.
4. The last time France toured Australia for a test series was in 2008. Australia won the series 2-0 with two comprehensive victories, 34-17 and 40-10.
5. Les Bleus have never won a test match in Melbourne or at Suncorp Stadium.
6. James Slipper and Wycliff Palu are both set to earn their 50th cap this weekend against France.
7. Australia recorded their biggest ever win over France in 2010 when they won 59-16. Drew Mitchell scored a hat-rick on that occasion. The other try scorers were Will Genia, Benn Robinson, Adam Ashley-Cooper and James O’Connor.
8. In the 42 matches they have played, Australia have scored 870 points whilst France have scored 737 points.
9. Stephen Moore will become Australia’s 81st test captain when he leads Australia out against France this weekend.
10. France have only ever won four tests in Australia. The last time the French won in Australia was at the Sydney Football Stadium in 1990 where they won 28-19.
