France will be looking to cap a wonderful year with victory against Canada at the Stade de France today. Les Bleus completed the grand slam to win the Six Nations in April and have also impressed in their autumn internationals.
They beat South Africa 30-10 two weeks ago before settling for a 20-20 draw with New Zealand in a thrilling encounter last Saturday.
Canada may not hold the same standing in the game as France's recent opponents but French coach Bernard Laporte is aware his side must keep their concentration if they are to emerge victorious.
"It's true that Canada do not have the same reputation as the All Blacks," Laporte said, "but what excites us is the game.
"We want to improve on what didn't work during the games against the All Blacks and Springboks. In order to do this we have gone for a bit of stability."
Centre Damien Traille will be fit to play after recovering from a foot injury. He will take his place alongside Thomas Castaignede.
The key man, though, could well be Fabien Pelous, and the Toulouse lock is delighted to be facing North American opposition. "This clash will allow us to see what we are capable of against another type of squad and another defence. It will be good to test ourselves," he said.
"Canada have qualified for the World Cup for the fifth time and I think the fight will be tough."
The last meeting between the two countries ended in a 33-20 victory for the French in Beziers in the 1999 World Cup but France will need no reminder of Canada's shock 18-16 victory at Nepean in 1994.
Italy, meanwhile, face a daunting task today when they welcome world champions Australia to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa.
Although the Wallabies have yet to record a win in Europe, losing 18-9 to Ireland and 32-31 to England, they should still be more than a match for John Kirwan's side, who were beaten 36-6 by Argentina in Rome last weekend.
"There were things we could have done a little bit better (against Argentina) but there were some positives as well," Kirwan said. "We've got to move on and we're looking forward to Australia.
"We need a bit more confidence and we need to not worry so much about making mistakes. We've just got to get out there, get the ball and try to play rugby."
Kirwan has made nine changes to the starting line-up that lost to the Pumas, most notably dropping Alessandro Troncon to the bench and handing the skipper's armband to lock Marco Bortolami.
Italy are also without talisman outhalf Diego Dominguez, who suffered a knee injury during last weekend's match.
FRANCE: N Brusque; V Clerc, T Castaignede, D Traille, D Bory; G Merceron, F Galthie (capt); J-J Crenca, R Ibanez, P de Villiers, F Pelous, O Brouzet, S Betsen, O Magne, I Harinordoquy.
CANADA: W Stanley; S Fauth, N Witkowski, J Cannon, F Asselin; B Ross, M Williams; R SnowP Dunkley,J Thiel,J Tait, M James, A Sharron (capt),R Banks, P Murphy.
ITALY: M Bergamasco; P Vaccari, C Stoica, M Barbini, N Mazzucato; R Pez, JM Queirolo; A Lo Cicero F Ongaro, L Castrogiovanni,E Pavanello,M Bortolami, A Persico, M Bergamasco S Parisse.
AUSTRALIA: S Mortlock; W Sailor, M Burke, D Herbert, S Staniforth; E Flatley, G Gregan (capt); B Young, A Freier, P Noriega,D Vickerman, J Harrison, M Cockbain,G Smith, T Kefu.
