Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has led a vigorous defence of disgraced flanker Martin Leslie - but it is still to be decided whether there will be an appeal against his record 12-week ban.
Leslie was condemned by Rugby World Cup judicial officer Terry Willis, who handed down the punishment after finding the New Zealand-born back row guilty of intentionally kneeing Jason Keyter in the head during Monday's encounter with the USA.
"As a group we feel hard done by," said McGeechan. "We do not condone foul play and I doubt that any other union in the world has taken a tougher stance on foul play than the Scottish Rugby Union. Since he came to Scotland five years ago, Martin has been a tremendous role model, probably one of the most popular players among his peers and among supporters.
"We will always reflect on his totally selfless attitude to the game and the immense amount he has given to Scotland. He was due to retire from the international game at the end of the World Cup and it saddens me that it appears he may have to bow out under such circumstances."
France make changes
France have made seven changes in their starting line-up to face Scotland on Saturday at Sydney's Olympic Stadium. Coach Bernard Laporte has given a start to tighthead prop Sylvain Marconnet, who missed the first two games against Fiji and Japan because of a leg injury. Outhalf Frederic Michalak will start his third straight World Cup game and assumes the goalkicking duties after recovering from a bruised rib against Japan.
FRANCE: N Brusque; A Rougerie, T Marsh, Y Jauzion, C Dominici; F Michalak, F Galthie (capt); J-J Crenca, R Ibanez, S Marconnet, F Pelous, J Thion, S Betsen, O Magne, I Harinordoquy. Replacements: Y Bru, O Milloud, O Brouzet, P Tabacco, G Merceron, D Traille, P Elhorga.
Whitaker named captain
Chris Whitaker will captain Australia in Saturday's World Cup clash with Namibia in Adelaide after the Wallabies named a second-string team yesterday to tackle one of the weakest sides in the tournament. Coach Eddie Jones retained only four of the players who started last week's 90-8 demolition of Romania in Brisbane in order to give his reserves a run before the final Pool A game with Ireland on November 1st.
AUSTRALIA: C Latham; L Tuqiri, S Mortlock, N Grey, M Rogers; M Giteau, C Whitaker (capt); M Dunning, J Paul, B Darwin, J Harrison, N Sharpe, G Smith, D Croft, D Lyons. Replacements: B Cannon, B Young, D Giffin or D Vickerman, J Roe, M Cockbain, M Turinui, M Burke.
Italy hit by injuries
Italy have lost wing Mirco Bergamasco and lock Marco Bortolami through injury for their deciding World Cup Pool D match against Wales on Saturday. Both players were hurt in the bruising 19-14 win over Canada on Tuesday and officials said they may have to delay naming the side to face Wales. Bergamasco has a broken cheekbone and is unlikely to play any further part in the tournament even if the Azzurri beat Wales and qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time.
Abbott gets the call
England centre Stuart Abbott will make his first World Cup start in the Pool C match against Samoa on Sunday, replacing Will Greenwood in one of seven changes in personnel from the side that beat South Africa last week. England coach Clive Woodward has also overhauled his pack and rejigged his backline, with Matt Dawson returning at scrumhalf, Iain Balshaw coming in on the right wing and Jason Robinson moving back to full back to replace Josh Lewsey.
ENGLAND: J Robinson; I Balshaw, S Abbott, M Tindall, B Cohen; J Wilkinson, M Dawson; J Leonard, M Regan, J White, M Johnson (capt), B Kay, J Worsley, N Back, L Dallaglio. Replacements: S Thompson, P Vickery, M Corry, L Moody, A Gomarsall, M Catt, D Luger.
