Changes needed but few options says Jones

PARIS - Australian coach Eddie Jones admits personnel changes are needed in the Wallabies but the question remains, where do the new faces come from?

Jones attacked his players' inability to perform under pressure and even an apparent fear of playing away from home after the 27-14 loss to an impressive and disciplined France at Stade de France in Paris yesterday.

He was angry that the Wallabies faded in the second half and could not respond when the French stepped up in the 15 minutes after halftime, when they stretched their lead from 12-11 to 18-11.

The Wallabies came away on their four-match tour with an aim to improve their woeful overseas record, which now stands at six wins from the last 18 away tests.

But Jones was left frustrated as his players appeared to have made little progress in fundamental areas, especially maintaining possession under pressure.

"Certainly there are areas that we're just failing to sustain performances in and that's a worrying aspect, particularly when it's repeating itself," he said.

"When we were under pressure in that first 15 minutes [of the second half] we needed to be tactically and technically better and we weren't. We didn't respond at all. That makes us think that certainly we've got to rethink what we're doing and that's always a rethinking of personnel."

Jones' comments put added significance on the Australia A match against the French Barbarians in Paris on Wednesday in which fringe squad members and potential Wallabies can stake their claims.

"It's a matter of looking at combinations, looking at guys who potentially could be better in the future," Jones said.

"We don't have any better players back in Australia at the moment except for a few injured guys."

While the forwards were overpowered by the French and remain the biggest area of concern, Jones has few options for the pack, even from within his reserves and the Australia A team.

Props Matt Dunning, Nic Henderson and Anthony Mathison are not ready to challenge Bill Young and Al Baxter, who were beaten again yesterday.

Mark Chisholm and Radike Samo will get their chance at lock on Wednesday but are unlikely to oust Daniel Vickerman and Justin Harrison, although David Lyons could push to reclaim his place at No 8 from John Roe.

The backs are reasonably settled, although it was the most experienced pair - halfback George Gregan and five eighth Stephen Larkham - who were the most disappointing yesterday.

Jones might have to call Elton Flatley back into the side at second five-eighth after a knee injury to Matt Giteau put him in doubt for Sunday's test against Scotland in Glasgow.

Jones attacked the attitude of some of his players when it came to playing tests outside Australia.

"We've got to get over the fact we'd prefer to play somewhere else. Test matches you play away from home and you've got to be good enough to cope with those situations."

Despite Australia's poor handling and ball retention under the intense pressure of the rushing French defence and hungry forwards, the test was a physical and genuine contest for an hour.

Jones rated the French close to the best in the world.

"I think they'd be pretty close, wouldn't they?"

- AAP