Both France and Japan have made several changes for their second Pool B match at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville on 18 October.
Previous meetings
The northern Queensland match will be the second time the two countries have met in their rugby history, the first being way back in 1973 in Bordeaux, where the home side ran out victors 30-18 in a fiery encounter.
Two names from the victorious French side still resonate to this day. Back then, Jo Maso carried the number 13 on his back while Jacques Rougerie was one of the props.
Thirty years on, almost to the day, and Maso has become the manager of the national side while Rougerie has passed his experience on to his son Aurélien, wing in the current French XV.
Form guide
France take on Japan with renewed respect after the latter’s sterling performance against Scotland on 12 October.
In spite of their 32-11 defeat Japan were enterprising in attack and defence.
Rising quickly from defeat, coach Shogo Mukai declared after the match “we will turn that into motivation to beat France next week."
France were one of the more impressive sides in their opening victory over Fiji. Stars for Les Tricolores were the centre combination of Tony Marsh and Yannick Jauzion, the latter scoring the first hat trick of RWC 2003, and Frédéric Michalak, who kicked six penalties and three conversions.
Ins and outs
French coach Bernard Laporte has made several changes to his starting side with exciting young full back Clement Poitrenaud coming into the 22 man squad for the first time.
Damien Traille gets his chance to shine alongside his old centre partner Marsh at the expense of Jauzion, who drops back to the bench.
In the forwards, prop Olivier Milloud and hooker Yannick Bru come into the side while Jean Jacques Crenca and hooker Raphael Ibanez drop back to the bench.
Olivier Brouzet and Christian Labit, have been named at lock and number 8 respectively, Brouzet for Jerome Thion and Labit as a replacement for the injured Imanol Harinordoquy.
Lock David Auradou and flanker Sebastian Chabal come onto the bench as new members of the squad.
Japanese changes
For Japan, Masaaki Sakata moves up from the bench to take over at hooker from Masao Amino, prop Masahiko Toyoyama and second row Hajime Kiso are out of the 22 to be replaced by Ryo Yamamura and Hiroyuki Tanuma respectively.
Yuji Sonada and Andrew Miller, so effective in the second half against Fiji, are the new half back pairing, with Hideki Namba and George Konia getting a start in the midfield. Toru Kurihara replaces Tsutomu Matsuda at full back.
Familiarity in the midfield
When rival New Zealand born centres Marsh (France) and Konia (Japan) confront each in the midfield, Konia may think he's on the wrong team.
For Marsh’s identical twin brother, Glen, and Konia, are teammates at Japan Super League club NEC Green Rockets.
Key Players
Look for Japanes half backs Sonada and Miller to get the ball wide to the Cherry Blossoms explosive wings, Daisuke Ohata and Hirotoki Onozawa, who looked dangerous every time they touched the ball against Scotland.
Ohata has scored 40 Test tries, the fifth highest number of tries ever by a player in international rugby.
In the forwards number 8 Takeomi Ito, who wins his 50th cap against France, will give Japan the go forward needed to give their backs some space.
For France, fly half Michalak, the current top scorer at Rugby World Cup 2003 with 26 points, will be the point of attack.
The centre pairing of Marsh and Traille will be watched with interest after Marsh and Jauzion starred together in their last match.
What it means
France, who have never lost a Pool match, will be keen to win and win handsomely to maintain their top ranking in Pool B.
Japan, seeking to capitalise on their good opening match form, will be chasing their first win in eight RWC matches.
What they said
About the six changes to the team for the Japanese match French coach Laporte said: “It is not about pleasing the players when we can change the players.
“We wanted the players who feel close to each other to play together. We have searched for a balance between continuity and competition.”
Match details
France v Japan
19:00
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Referee: Alan Lewis
Touch Judges: Steve Walsh and Mark Lawrence
TV match official: Nigel Whitehouse