Replacement lock Dean Mumm has welcomed the added pressure of leading the Wallabies' lineout in the absence of injured veteran Nathan Sharpe against Les Bleus in Brisbane on Saturday night.
In just his first Test as a member of the run-on side, Mumm, who made his Wallabies debut against the Irish last month, will play the pivotal role of chief-lineout caller after Sharpe was ruled out of the match with a groin injury on Thursday night.
Speaking at Suncorp Stadium after the Wallabies' Friday captain's run, Mumm revealed he had last fulfilled the key role in match conditions for the Sydney Fleet in the now defunct Australian Rugby Championship last year, but remains confident he is up to the task.
"I'll be calling the lineouts to start the game, obviously Sharpey (Sharpe) is very good at that and it's a challenge and something I'm very much looking forward to."
"It's a great responsibility to look after the lineout and to be able one area of the set piece."
Coach Robbie Deans expressed confidence in Mumm's ability to lead the lineout but said all the forwards would need to take on added responsibility with Sharpe sidelined.
"That's a challenging area regardless of who you've got there," Deans said of the lineout.
"The other guys are pretty well versed, our preparation is such that they all need to have their heads around it."
"Obviously Dean wouldn't have anticipating that he's going to be calling them from the first minute but he's got the background so he'll be fine."
Asked his feelings on the eve of his first Test as a starter, Mumm said Saturday night could not come soon enough.
"Obviously playing for the Wallabies you don't want to be a squad member, you want to participate and obviously starting's the best way to do that," he said.
"So (it's) a very exciting moment and (I'm) very proud to be starting for the Wallabies."
Meanwhile, Deans expressed sympathy for Sharpe who is expected to recover in time for the Wallabies' opening clash of the Tri Nations against South Africa in a fortnight.
"It's tough on Sharpey, it's disappointing for him, you wouldn't wish that on anyone really," Deans said.
"To know that you've got a Test match coming and to be denied it is not a good experience."
"But as is the case it's an opportunity for Dean, it's his first start from the first minute so he'll be hugely excited about that."