LIVE: Wallabies brace for ‘best team in world’

After a two week camp, France’s buildup to its end-of-year rugby Tests was described as “very complete and very intense.”

“We really tried to optimise every minute,” team manager Raphael Ibanez said.

The satisfying result to the coaches was getting two of their best players — flyhalf Romain Ntamack and loosehead prop Cyril Baille — remarkably up to speed from skimpy game time this season and into the team playing Australia on Sunday (7am AEDT) at the Stade de France.

Ntamack hasn’t played in eight weeks because of an ankle injury.

Baille made his first appearance of the season last weekend off the bench for Toulouse.

Both are somehow starting for France.

“(Baille) validated everything we needed to know for a possible selection,” France coach Fabien Galthie said.

“He seems ready to take up the challenge.”

Ntamack was thrown into uncompromising training sessions and passed.

According to Galthie: “the intensity and speed are greater than those of a match.”

The coach said trust flowed both ways.

The players had to know the coaches were preparing them properly, and the coaches had to trust the players were giving them honest answers.

“We judge all this data and, if it is sometimes challenging for us, so far we have succeeded,” Galthie said.

The proof is a 10 Test winning roll, matching France’s national record from the 1930s.

The streak includes a first Six Nations Grand Slam in 12 years and a 2-0 series win in Japan in July.

The Wallabies were the last team to beat France, at home in July last year.

But coach Dave Rennie had no doubt about how the challenge against France had become bigger.

“This side’s the best in the world, regardless of what the rankings say,” Rennie said.

“They’re unbeaten in about 15 months, they’ve beaten the No.1-ranked side Ireland, so we’re looking forward to the challenge. We’re certainly going to go out there and give it a crack.”

The Wallabies have had to change four after edging Scotland 16-15 last weekend.

Taniela Tupou will oppose Baille in the scrum after Allan Alaalatoa was out concussed, and into the backline have come scrumhalf Nic White, centre Lalakai Foketi and fullback Jock Campbell, who will make his first Test start.

France: Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Yoram Moefana, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (c), Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch, Thibaud Flament, Cameron Woki, Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille

Reserves: Peato Mauvaka, Dany Priso, Sipili Falatea, Romain Taofifenua, Killian Geraci, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Mathieu Jalibert

Australia: Jock Campbell, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Lalakai Foketi, Tom Wright, Bernard Foley, Nic White; Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper, Jed Holloway, Cadeyrn Neville, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, David Porecki, James Slipper (c)

Reserves: Folau Fainga’a, Matt Gibbon, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Hunter Paisami, Reece Hodge