Three debutants have been named in Australia's rugby league team to open its tour of Europe in Saturday's match against a French Selection in Carcassonne.

Penrith premiership winning trio Luke Lewis, Trent Waterhouse and Joel Clinton will play for Australia for the first time when the tourists take on the mysterious French XIII.

Lewis will start on the wing with Waterhouse in the second row and Clinton on the bench.

Captain and fullback Darren Lockyer has been rested after suffering concussion in last week's loss to New Zealand, so prop Robbie Kearns will skipper the side.

Penrith halfback Craig Gower has his chance to push for Test selection after being named in the starting side.

Brett Kimmorley, who played against the Kiwis in Auckland, is on the bench.

The match was moved from its original venue in Perpignan to Carcassonne at the last minute.

The Kangaroos are currently in Barcelona for some "rest and recreation" before heading back to France on Friday.

They play England A next Tuesday, Wales on November 2 and the first of three Tests against Britain in Wigan on November 8.

AUSTRALIA: Anthony Minichiello, Luke Lewis, Shannon Hegarty, Michael De Vere, Matt Sing, Craig Wing, Craig Gower, Petero Civoniceva, Michael Crocker, Robbie Kearns (capt), Willie Mason, Trent Waterhouse, Phil Bailey. Reserves: Joel Clinton, Shane Webke, Richard Villasanti, Brett Kimmorley.

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