Barring a freak, Australia's embarrassment will be eased at the expense of Italy's battered pride in Genoa today as the world champions strive to salvage something from their disappointing European tour.

After defeats by Ireland and England in successive weeks, the latter after squandering a 12-point lead in the last quarter, Australia's coach is taking no chances even against an Italian side who suffered again last Saturday in their heavy home defeat by Argentina.

"We've just got to pick our best side," said Eddie Jones yesterday. "We took a different approach selecting for the Ireland game and it backfired on us." Then came the one-point defeat at Twickenham. "We need to have a positive performance this week."

The Wallabies are expected to unleash an all-out assault on an Azzurri team lacking their most effective player, the veteran fly-half Diego Dominguez, who kicked all their points in their 36-6 defeat by the Pumas but is now ruled out with a knee injury.

In Paris, France today play their last Test before opening the defence of their Six Nations title in England in February. They are heavily backed to beat Canada in the Stade de France but need to prove they can avoid the errors that agonisingly cost them victory against New Zealand last weekend.

The fly-half François Gelez is dropped after missing four of six penalties against the All Blacks as France were held to a 20-20 draw. The veteran Gérald Merceron takes his place, and the young left-wing Cédric Heymans makes way for David Bory's return after injury.