An under-pressure Wallabies pack will get an immediate gauge of their set-piece progress this weekend in a first-up confrontation with France, the toughest challenge of Australia's European tour.

The Wallabies forwards have worked hard at remodelling their troubled line-out and scrum and honing those skills after the disaster of this year's winless Tri-Nations campaign.

Eddie Jones' team became the first Wallabies outfit since 1969 to lose five straight Tests when they were overpowered by South Africa and New Zealand.

On a difficult four-Test spring tour also involving matches against England, Ireland and Six Nations champions Wales, Sunday morning's (AEDT) Test against Les Bleus at the intimidating Marseille Velodrome stands out as the most difficult.

Pack leader Nathan Sharpe said the lineouts and scrums had been identified as the major areas for improvement and was confident of seeing an in instant transformation.

"We spent this (pre-tour) off-season honing those skills and changing a few things here and there and we're looking forward to seeing the results of that on the weekend," said lock Sharpe, one of three vice-captains to George Gregan.

"France are very typically a strong set-piece side, often having five jumpers in their scrum and very good props the whole way through.

"That set piece is crucial."

The starting Test team gained a fine insight into the French penchant for driving mauls when they watched a young Australia A outfit struggle to contain the rolling French Barbarians pack in a 42-12 win in Bordeaux on Tuesday.

"French teams love the rolling maul and it's something that we've prepared for in the pre-season leading up to this tour.

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