France and Australia, who meet in Paris on Saturday evening, are on the surface two teams in a fairly similar state of flux. Both suffered poor exits from the 2007 World Cup, although the defeat of the All Blacks by Les Bleus was arguably the performance of the tournament.

Both teams have new coaches. Former Canterbury legend Robbie Deans, now in charge of Australia, has been instrumental in success at provincial level for Christchurch and had unprecedented triumphs with the Crusaders, as well as being a former All Black assistant coach. 

His appointment by the Wallabies was widely seen as a coup in poaching him from New Zealand shores.

Marc Lievremont, like Deans, has played at the highest level for his country, winning French domestic titles with Stade Francais (1998, 2000) and Biarritz Olympique (2002).  He coached the French junior national team before guiding Dax to Top 14 promotion in 2007. 

Taking over from Bernard Laporte, his appointment was greeted with a mixed reception in the corridors of French rugby power.

Only a 1-3 ledger to the All Blacks taints Deans’ 2008 record, although the 34-19 victory over the All Blacks in Sydney was the third-heaviest defeat suffered by New Zealand in 44 years. 

There was a 53-8 aberration in the last game of the Tri-Nations to South Africa – but this does not hide eight wins, including the scalps of France twice, South Africa twice, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy and England.

Deans has introduced trademark Canterbury-style pragmatism to the Wallabies with improvements in on-field kicking and breakdown efficiency the most obvious traits – as well as unearthing strong talent in the form of Peter Hynes, Luke Burgess, Dean Mumm and Ryan Cross among others. 

The Australian scrum has looked stronger before having a revelation against England. Above all, Deans has not favoured rotation and kept a largely consistent starting 15. However, they have been unable to maintain themselves as an 80-minute team, a critical blemish in their development. 

They have also struggled to shake off one of the great modern deficiencies of the Wallabies – to appear equal to the best teams in the world, but then struggle to overcome a second-tier nation.

After taking over from Laporte, Lievremont made his intentions clear that he wished Les Bleus to move away from the expediency of his predecessor and envisaged a return to the flair and champagne rugby that had made France a world power.

The 2008 Six-Nations began with France unleashing a terrifying attack-at-all-costs style that saw them blow away the Scottish and defeat the Irish. However, it came undone as the ultimate pragmatist England showed that no matter how well a team can attack, it cannot be done without the ball or consistent territory. 

This again came undone against the Welsh, as Warren Gatland’s well-drilled team took the game away from the French who looked to attack from anywhere.

An under-strength French touring team was duly thrashed 2-0 by the Wallabies; although it is hard to read too much into this as approximately 15 of the first-choice French players did not tour. 

This was another concern for the French faithful – Lievremont was changing his team constantly, with over half of the positions in the starting line up this year having seen at least four different players.

This will be a pivotal game for both teams. Australia show clear progress in their style, and Deans is comfortable with who his key men are. 

The development of the forwards has continued from the John Connelly reign. They completed outplayed England at the breakdown and have matched the All Blacks in the all-important tackle area. Their lineout is sound, although it has not dominated too much, but the great Achilles heel - the scrum - appears to be making giant strides. 

However, questions now abound about the team’s great strength, the backs.  The Wallabies appear a far different proposition without a true second five-eighth such as Berrick Barnes – and despite convincingly beating England they were troubled by the the red rose’s backline runners. 

Only the defensive coordination of Australia, marshalled by captain Stirling Mortlock, is holding this aspect together. However, the now inside centre is no playmaker, something that is harming the Wallabies.

France do look the goods – but suffer from the time-honoured tradition of which Les Bleus turn up to play. Lievremont must look at his style and that of predecessor Laporte – and where the two can complement each other. 

The Laporte Bleus played with more structure and were defensively orientated, but were missing the crucial element which has been so successful for French teams. I’m referring to the flair and the menace; the qualities exhibited in spades under Lievremont.

If Lievremont can mould his all-offensive style with the organisation drilled into the previous French team, than the hybrid of Les Bleus unleashed on the Wallabies could be terrifying. 

Players such as centre Yannick Jauzion and Cedric Heymans – the latter being arguably the form wing of world rugby – will cause Australia plenty of problems if they are given the space.

But the litmus test will come from the French pack, with the one consistent element over the season being the unyielding Les Bleus scrum.  The prowess of the pack was evident against the scrum nous of the Pumas – and against the Pacific Islanders they pushed their far heavier opposition around at will. 

Recalled Biarritz No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy is in the form of his life, and Toulouse flanker Thierry Dusautoir is probably the best blindside in the world and a defensive juggernaut. 

I think France in Paris will be a bridge to far for the convalescing Wallabies, who will go down narrowly - by two points.