UNTIL now, Wallabies prop Ben Alexander has been able to take advantage of being the great unknown. In the space of nine months Alexander has enjoyed a dramatic rise from regular ACT Brumbies reserve to a Test player who will get his second starting international against France on Saturday night.

When he played against Italy in Padova, opposing coach Nick Mallett knew little of him, and it wasn't surprising that Alexander became a midfield weapon, being involved in several enthusiastic midfield bursts.

But the French have him on their radar - as after all the loosehead prop appeared in both of their Australian Tests last June, in the Sydney and Brisbane internationals playing the last 20 minutes from the bench.

"This is my third time against the French and so they are maybe the only team who know my name," Alexander said on Wednesday. "I hope I haven't given them too much information so that they can pick away at my weaknesses yet." Alexander is one of four changes to the Australian pack which triumphed at Twickenham, with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans using the opportunity to rest several forwards - including prop Benn Robinson, who had started 11 of the 12 Tests this season.

Alexander is delighted to get a second start on the tour, but knows he is still a long way from toppling Robinson on a regular basis.

"I was extremely surprised when I was found out they were making changes to the forward pack," Alexander said.

"What can you say? Each member of the front-row deserved every accolade they got after the England Test. And with Benn having such a good game, it has really put pressure on me to perform. If I don't perform, I can basically kiss my chances goodbye. He's put the runs on the board, and now it is my turn to reply." Deans has also warned Alexander and his teammates that the French team they confronted in Australia, and which they easily defeated 34-13 and 40-10, will be vastly inferior to what they will encounter at Stade de France.

"France wouldn't have enjoyed their last experience against us, and to put it bluntly will be wanting to belt us," Deans said.

"They will be absolutely different to the team we faced in Australia. Obviously the French combination (for the Australian tour) was thrown together at the end of a long season.

"It's a different circumstance now. They are going into their season. They are fresh. They have the Six Nations coming up. They aspire for positions, and being part of a French group going forward. So there will be a lot of ambition and excitement revolving around that." But that does not mean that they are intimidated by the French.

Wallaby captain Stirling Mortlock was bemused when one local journalist probed him about whether he feared certain French players.

"Very rarely do I go into a Test match fearing people," Mortlock said.

"You have respect for players, and you understand certain players have strengths and weaknesses. I don't think you want to go into a Test match with doubt or fear for your opposition. It is not a good state to be in." Then Mortlock was told that the fierce French forward Sebastien Chabal was back in their Test lineup.

"He is the only guy I am scared of. He is playing? Yes. Well I am very scared." Mortlock was joking.