A hungry Wycliff Palu has vowed to "make a difference" after being recalled to the Wallabies starting line-up for Saturday night's rugby Test against France in Paris.

Palu's inclusion at No.8 in place of the injured Richard Brown is one of three changes to the side which crushed England 28-14 last Saturday, with Dean Mumm and Ben Alexander also earning places in the pack.

Mumm's selection as blindside flanker comes at the expense of lock Mark Chisholm, who moves to the bench, while Hugh McMeniman reverts to the second row after starting on the side of the scrum at Twickenham.

Runner-up behind champion flanker George Smith in this year's John Eales Medal count, Palu starts for the first time since injuring the medial ligament in his knee against the All Blacks in September.

The destructive back-rower has been like a caged animal on the European tour, training the house down and waiting desperately for an opportunity.

It came in the 45th minute at Twickenham when he replaced Brown, who dislocated a finger and also hurt his knee.

His impact was immediate as he pulled off some signature big hits and helped the Australian pack shove England off their own scrum ball as the Wallabies reversed a second-half deficit to notch their first win at rugby's spiritual home since 2004.

"It was good on the weekend when I was sitting on the bench because I could see what areas in the game I could have an effect on. So it was good to come on and have an impact," Palu said.

"When I play rugby, I like to make a difference. I try to do something that changes the game or has an impact on the game.

"Whether that's having a big run with the ball or a big tackle or (causing) a turnover or something like that, that's what I'll be going out there to try to do again this weekend."

McMeniman made his own comeback from an ankle ligament injury at lock against Italy two weeks ago, before switching to the blindside flank last weekend.

But in recalling Alexander and Mumm, which necessitated a positional switch for McMeniman, coach Robbie Deans said the two unforced changes to his pack were designed to spread the workload while encouraging the development of both players.

Alexander, who made such a big impression in his run-on debut against Italy, takes over at loosehead prop from Benn Robinson, who has started in all but one of Australia's 12 previous Tests this season.

Mumm started against the All Blacks on the tour opener against New Zealand in Hong Kong on November 1 and also against the Azzurri but missed a place in the match-day 22 for the England showdown.

While he has made no changes to the backline, Deans is also keen to give young prop Sekope Kepu and flanker David Pocock, considered as a future Wallabies captain, some more Test experience off the bench.

AUSTRALIA: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Ryan Cross, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe, Hugh McMeniman, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, Mark Chisholm, David Pocock, Sam Cordingley, Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane.

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