Australia U20 coach Chris Whitaker has named French-based Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe and Lehopoame Leota to start against Six Nations champions France on Tuesday (AEST).
It comes with the winner set to advance to the semi-finals of the Junior World Championship, with both teams defeating Fiji and Spain.
Watch every second of the 2026 Junior World Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.
It's the first start for Castres front-rower Swerling-Finaipepe, missing last week's win over Spain due to shoulder soreness.
As for Racing 92 product Leota, he retains the starting spot in the front-row alongside Ewald Kruger.
“From our first match in the Coffs Coast, to the Rugby Championship in South Africa, to our opening games here in Georgia, these are the types of opportunities we have been preparing for," Whitaker said.
“We know what sort of challenge France are going to pose and we will be ready to take on the fight.”
Captain Tom Robinson is one of several returning stars after their rest, joined in the back row by Luca Cleverley.
Flyhalf Finn Mackay is set to overcome a finger injury that forced him off early, with Angus Grover back in the starting side.
Sevens debutant Cooper Watters replaces Taione Taka (concussion) on the wing, with the rest of the midfield and outside backs settled.
Jacob Job and Isaac Fonua revert back to a finishing role, while Riley Whitfeld is set for his Junior World Championship debut after joining the squad for Chayse Geros.
AIA Arena, Kutaisi on Wednesday 8 July at 00:00am (AEST).
1. Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe
2. Ewald Kruger
3. Lehopoame Leota
4. William Ross
5. Toby Brial
6. Luca Cleverley
7. Tom Robinson (c)
8. Eli Langi
9. Angus Grover
10. Finn Mackay
11. Cooper Watters
12. Treyvon Pritchard
13. Zach Fittler
14. Tom Farr-Jones
15. Wallace Charlie
Substitutes
16. John Grenfell
17. Jacob Job
18. Edwin Langi
19. Isaac Fonua
20. TJ Talaileva
21. Sam Blank
22. Charlie Bird
23. Riley Whitfeld
