Stunned again at receiving the call to start a Test for the Wallabies, rags-to-riches prop Ben Alexander isn't promising any French flair against Les Bleus on Saturday night.

Just an honest prop's performance at Stade de France will suffice for the down-to-earth loosehead.

After languishing in club rugby second grade 18 months ago and not playing a full professional game before his shock run-on debut for Australia two weeks ago, Alexander has modest goals for his second Test starting appearance.

He is certainly not predicting a repeat of the storming surges downfield he produced in his two appearances off the bench against France during the Australian winter and against Italy on the opening match of the Wallabies' European tour.

"I wasn't really expecting them last time so I'll just be worrying about my other jobs first - my scrummaging and combating the French aggression early on. That will be my focus," Alexander said.

"Running, if it happens, it happens. I'll just worry about our set piece and laying another platform that we've done reasonably well the last two weeks.

"This is my third time against the French so maybe they're the only team that knows my name."

The 24-year-old admits starting a Test will help him "get into the flow" of the game easier than coming off the bench and also provide more attacking opportunities.

But he is more concerned about filling the big shoes of Benn Robinson, who was outstanding in Australia's stirring win over England at Twickenham last Saturday, but is being rested after playing all but one of the Wallabies' 12 previous Tests this season.

"I was extremely surprised when I found out they were making any changes at all to the forward pack," Alexander said.

"They deserve every accolade they got last week, the front three, the whole forward pack.

"Hopefully we can put another performance on because that's put a lot of pressure on me - Robbo coming off such a good game.

"If I don't perform, then I can kiss any more chances goodbye because he's put the runs on the board and now it's my turn to reply."

Alexander admits he still pinches himself about his meteoric rise from rugby no-name to Wallabies star.

"But I can't look back. Got to look forward," he said. "If I look back, that's when I won't improve. If I look forward, I can be finding ways to improve and not be happy where I am."

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