Media darling and fans' favourite Sebastien Chabal has been recalled to France's starting XV as Les Bleus look to complete a November Test clean sweep with a victory over in-form Australia in Paris on Saturday.
Sale Sharks talisman Chabal will replace Romain Millo-Chluski in the second row in one of two changes made by France head coach Marc Lievremont to the team that started the 42-17 win over the Pacific Islanders last weekend.
The other sees Sebastien Tillous-Borde come in at scrum-half for the injured Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who faces two weeks out after receiving a knock to the head against the Islanders.
The hirsute Chabal, a No.8 by trade but used as a lock by the French, was impressive when he came on as a replacement last weekend, just as he did in the 12-6 win over Argentina on November 8 in Les Bleus' first winter international.
And Lievremont believes 'The Caveman' deserves his chance.
"Romain Millo-Chluski has played two sets of 80 minutes, with two good displays," said the head coach.
"That said, Seb had played excellently when he has come on and we have more cohesion with two weeks of work."
"Sebastien has qualities in the scrum that you can't ignore, and he also perhaps has more freshness in his legs."
"However, the arrival of Romain in the second half could be essential."
Tillous-Borde scored a try against the Islanders after coming on as an 18th-minute replacement for Elissalde, who was knocked out following a dreadful tackle by Napolioni Nalaga that earned the Fiji winger a red card.
Elissalde is still feeling the effects of Nalaga's swinging arm, and with another scrum-half rival - Morgan Parra - also injured at the moment, Tillous-Borde has been handed a chance to impress.
The 23-year-old knows the Wallabies well as his previous two caps prior to his appearance on Saturday came against them in the winter tour Down Under.
Julien Tomas will be Tillous-Borde's understudy after called up to the squad on Sunday.
"His selection is obvious," Lievremont said of Tillous-Borde.
"He showed to us when he came on on Saturday that he knew how to get involved in the game and take responsibility."
Elsewhere, flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo is retained in the back row, meaning Montpellier team-mate Louis Picamoles is again on the bench, while Lionel Faure beat off competition from fellow prop Fabien Barcella to keep his place in the front row.
David Skrela has shrugged off a minor knock to take the No.10 jersey for the third game in succession.
On the selection of Ouedraogo, Lievremont said: "He is more impressive in the line-out and he can put pressure on the Australia half-backs."
"But we have some different options in the back row."
Australia comes to the French capital in buoyant mood following its superb 28-14 win over England at Twickenham at the weekend.
That followed a 30-20 victory over Italy the previous Saturday and Lievremont knows it will be a tough ask for his side to stem the Australian tide.
"Their team is extremely tight-knit and brave, that make few errors and give very few points to their opponents," he said.
"They are tricky to play against. We are going to have to play better than our first two matches."