France make no changes for final

France have named an unchanged team to play Australia in the World Cup final at the Millennium Stadium tommorow

France have named an unchanged team to play Australia in the World Cup final at the Millennium Stadium tommorow. Forwards Christophe Juillet and Marc Lievremont have both been passed fit after undergoing scans on leg injuries while full back Xavier Garbajosa has shaken off an ankle strain.

Their recovery means France will field the same team that condemned pre-tournament favourites New Zealand to a sensational 43-31 semi-final defeat at Twickenham on Sunday.

"Christophe and Marc went running this morning and at the present moment they're in physio but by all accounts everything is okay," said coach Jean-Claude Skrela.

Prop Franck Tournaire retains his place after being cleared of biting All Black captain Taine Randell 24 hours earlier.

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"It was logical to stick with the team that gave us a dream," said French manager Jo Maso.

"We have respect for the Australians given that we will be playing as outsiders. We will go into the match with humility, but also with the pride of a team playing at this stage of the competition."

Skrela warned that the French will have to produce another sensational display to upset the prematch favourites.

He added: "The quality of the Wallabies' play is fearsome. They have a great defence as well as the World Cup's best attackers."

"A final is a final and our priority is obviously to win and if the occasion is there we can do what we did last week. Why not?" he said.

The French build-up to the final has been marred by accusations of foul play by New Zealand coach John Hart and team doctor John Mayhew in Sunday's semi-final at Twickenham.

French assistant coach Pierre Villepreux said he was disappointed to hear the allegations.