Flyhalf Stephen Larkham is set to return for the Wallabies' first test against France, Australia coach Eddie Jones said on Monday.

　　"Stevie is shaping up well. He camesintoscamp last night," Jones told a news conference.

　　"He needs to get through the next couple of days to prove that he's fit to play and then be considered for selection."

　　Larkham, a member of the side which won the 1999 World Cup, injured his elbow playing for the ACT Brumbies against New Zealand's Canterbury Crusaders in the Super 12 final last month.

　　Australia gosintosthe two-test series against France starting on Saturday on the back of an unconvincing 27-23 victory over New Zealand Maori in Perth at the weekend.

　　Jones said the Wallabies needed to improve their scrum, lineout and kick-off set plays and show some more cohesion out wide in defence.

　　"I don't think we have any glaring defensive weakness out wide. There was a bit of misunderstanding between a few of our players," Jones said.

　　Jones added he was pleased with the Australian debut of former rugby league international Wendell Sailor, who scored a try early in the match but struggled at times defensively.

　　Six Nations champions France, meanwhile, suffered a shock 28-27 loss to Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

　　Jones said France, due to arrive in Melbourne on Tuesday, has based their winning formula on strong defence to complement their natural attacking flair.

　　"Test football is about physical combat. Most test matches are won or lost in the tight five and the guys are aware of that," Jones said.

　　"The French probably fancy themselves in that area. They gave us a bit of a hiding (in France) last year in the tight five and they'll be hurting from their loss in Argentina."

　　Australia lost to France and England on an end-of-season tour in November last year.

　　Saturday's first test will be played at Melbourne's covered Docklands Stadium with the second test in Sydney a week later.