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rugby league news
6 November 2009
France boosted by returning stars
France are boosted by the return of four Catalans Dragons regulars for their final match of the Four Nations against Australia on Saturday.
Former St George Illawarra full-back Clint Greenshields, who qualifies for France on residential grounds, will face his countrymen on his home debut in Paris after recovering from swine flu which forced him to sit out last week's 62-12 defeat to New Zealand in Toulouse.
Winger Dmitri Pelo has also shaken off the virus while centre Sebastien Raguin has recovered from injury and prop David Ferriol has completed a one-match ban imposed for foul play in France's opening 34-12 defeat to England.
The return of the Dragons quartet gives coach Bobbie Goulding's side a far more experienced look as they seek to provide the Kangaroos with a competitive match.
The French faded badly in the second half of each of their first two matches as their part-time players began to tire and a repeat of that could see Australia, who have won their last 13 encounters with Les Tricolours, run up a huge score.
France's last win over the Kangaroos was an 11-10 triumph in Toulouse in 1978 which enabled them to complete a 2-0 whitewash after winning 13-10 in Carcassonne.
Australia coach Tim Sheens already has one eye on next week's final, resting seven players and giving debuts to centres Josh Morris and Michael Jennings, but is hoping his side can maintain their intensity.
"The French will come out nice and hard," he said. "They're aggressive and they've got a big forward pack.
"We have to be in the right mindset to match it and then finish with a strong performance which leads us into the last week.
"We're also looking at our combinations for the final because England and New Zealand are going to have a tough game, that's their preparation."
Saturday's match will be another landmark occasion for stand-off Darren Lockyer, who will captain Australia for a record-breaking 28th time on his 49th appearance for his country.
He is already his country's most capped player and needs one more try to break Ken Irvine's record of 33.
Also reaching a personal milestone is prop Petero Civoniceva, who will win his 39th cap to equal John Raper's record for most appearances by a forward.
The former Brisbane Broncos stalwart will be hoping to have the chance to break that record in next Saturday's Elland Road final, which would mark Lockyer's 50th appearance.
Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
