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Australia will be back to full strength after recalling their top players for Saturday's one-off Test against France at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

Australia captain Stirling Mortlock (pictured) was among nine first-choice players recalled to the side after they picked an under-strength team for last week's second Test against Italy in Melbourne.

"This is the combination we feel will serve us best this weekend," coach Robbie Deans.

"We got a lot out of last week's game in Melbourne and certainly weren't disappointed with the effort of any of the players involved.

"That outing has allowed us to broaden our depth in terms of exposing other players to test match conditions. We will see the benefits of that moving forward."

Deans made four changes to the back line and five to the pack to face a French side that split their two-match series in New Zealand but won the Dave Gallaher Cup by virtue of their five-point victory in the first Test.

Full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper replaced teenager James O'Connor, wing Drew Mitchell took over from Peter Hynes, fly-half Matt Giteau was recalled for Quade Cooper while Mortlock returns at centre in place of Ryan Cross.

Number eight Richard Brown and lock Nathan Sharpe were both reinstated for David Pocock and Peter Kimlin, who played on the side of the scrum last week.

Deans also picked a new front row in props Al Baxter and Benn Robinson and hooker Stephen Moore in anticipation of Australia's hardest match so far this season.

"The Barbarians and the Italians provided us with a good opening to the season, we had three quality work outs, but there is no doubt that they were a level down on what is coming," Deans said.

"You only have to look ... (at) what the French achieved in New Zealand, to see what a massive threat they will be.

"There's no doubt that what we have produced so far this year won't be good enough moving forward."

Australia team to face France: 15-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14-Lachie Turner, 13-Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12-Berrick Barnes, 11-Drew Mitchell, 10-Matt Giteau, 9-Luke Burgess, 8-Richard Brown, 7-George Smith, 6-Dean Mumm, 5-Nathan Sharpe, 4-James Horwill, 3-Al Baxter, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17-Ben Alexander, 18-Phil Waugh, 19-David Pocock, 20-Josh Valentine, 21-Ryan Cross, 22-James O'Connor.

Reuters