PARIS (Reuters) - France made 10 changes, one of them positional, to face Argentina in their World Cup third-place playoff at the Parc des Princes on Friday (8 p.m. BST).

Coach Bernard Laporte kept just six of the players who started Saturday's 14-9 semi-final defeat by England and switched Damien Traille from fullback to centre.

Three players, lock Fabien Pelous, centre Yannick Jauzion and prop Olivier Milloud, were ruled out by injuries.

Lock Sebastien Chabal, whose citing for an alleged dangerous tackle on England lock Simon Shaw has been dismissed, is among the replacements.

The hosts were upset 17-12 by Argentina in the opening game of the tournament and have been beaten in five of their last six encounters with the Pumas.

"We had to take into account the fact that many players were injured or tired but it's certainly not a match we are taking lightly," said Laporte, who will become a junior minister for sport after the tournament and named a team for the last time on Tuesday.

"We want to win this match because third place is at stake and the players will give it all they have," he added.

Clement Poitrenaud returns at fullback and Frederic Michalak will start at number 10, an indication that France will try to run the ball after being criticised for failing to do so against England.

Like France, Argentina are hampered by injuries and will not be able to field their best team.

France manager Jo Maso said he did not expect an easy match.

"We know Argentina, they play with a lot of heart and never let go," Maso said.

England play South Africa in the final on Saturday (8 p.m. BST).