FRANCE look well placed to finish second in Pool A and move into the “European” side of the draw as they face Tonga in Wellington.

Assuming the All Blacks dispatch Canada on Sunday, also in Wellington, the only way France could miss out is if Tonga beat them, gained a bonus point and prevented the French from getting one.

France have retained Morgan Parra at outhalf, coach Marc Lievremont keeping changes to a minimum despite a stuttering display against the All Blacks.

Hooker William Servat, number eight Raphael Lakafia and winger Alexis Palisson come into the side for tomorrow’s match in Wellington with Dimitri Szarzewski, Louis Picamoles and Damien Traille making way.

France, who eased past Japan and Canada in their opening matches, are heavy favourites to reach the last eight.

“This match is important. We have to win to qualify for the quarter-finals,” Lievremont told reporters after naming his side.

“It is a team very similar to the one which will start the quarter-finals. After the first two matches I announced we would make fewer changes and that is the case.”