Playmaker Jalibert moves to fullback as France swing axe for Australia clash

France coach Fabien Galthie made seven changes to his starting side Thursday for their Nations Championship clash with Australia and a key positional switch with star playmaker Matthieu Jalibert moved to fullback.

The Six Nations champions meet the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday, still smarting from an agonising 34-32 loss to New Zealand in Christchurch last week.

Galthie swung the axe and intriguingly moved Bordeaux magician Jalibert into a position he has never played for France before. Romain Ntamack will occupy his fly-half role instead.

But there are injury concerns over Jalibert who missed training sessions this week with a calf niggle.

“He’ll have a full test tomorrow during the captain’s run at the stadium,” Galthie said. “Then we’ll make the decision based on how he feels.”

Should Jalibert be ruled out, La Rochelle’s Antoine Hastoy would likely start instead.

Five of the seven players brought into the team featured in the Top 14 final between Toulouse and Montpellier late last month including hooker Peato Mauvaka who scored twice.