Montpellier flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo was recalled to the French lineup in place of Julien Bonnaire for Saturday's rugby union international against Australia at the Stade de France.

Ouedraogo upset coach Marc Lievremont after he complained about being left out of the squad to play Argentina on his home ground last Saturday, a match the French won 15-9, but that appears to have been put aside for the Test against the Wallabies.

Lievremont said that he had juggled several back row options before settling on Ouedraogo and Thierry Dusautoir as flankers with fan favourite Sebastian Chabal retained at No.8.

"We could have gone for the power option we used against Argentina, while there was also the more mobile option with Bonnaire at No.8, Dusautoir and Fulgence," he said.

"And then there was the other way, the one we chose, with two No.10 hunters (Dusautoir and Ouedraogo) and the power of Sebastien Chabal."

Lievremont admitted that his selection could leave the French short-handed in the line-outs.

In other changes, Perpignan's Jerome Porical moves from the wing to full-back where he takes the place of Alexis Palisson of Brive who moves to the other wing slot taking over from Marc Andreu.

"Porical played very well against Fiji and he deserves the chance to show what he can do (against Australia)," Lievremont said.

Elsewhere, stability was the order of the day with fly-half Damien Traille once again paired in the halves with Morgan Parra and the front five in the scrum unchanged.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP