PARIS (AFP) - Coach Bernard Laporte on Tuesday made nine changes to his starting line-up for what will be last match in charge against Argentina in the World Cup third place play-off at the Parc des Prince on Friday.

Laporte will stand down after eight years and 98 games at the helm hoping to bow out on a positive note one week after the crushing 14-9 semi-final defeat to England last Saturday.

Four of the changes come in the pack with the return of Jean-Baptiste Poux at loose-head prop, Lionel Nallet at lock and Yannick Nyanga and Imanol Harinordoquy in the back row

Among the backs, Frederic Michalak takes over at flyhalf with David Skrela at centre, Christophe Dominici and Aurelien Rougerie on the wings and Clement Poitrenaud at full-back.

Damien Traille, who played full-back against England returns to his more customary centre position.

It will be the second meeting between the two teams at this World Cup, Argentina having won the tournament opener 17-12 on September 7. The Pumas lost 37-13 to South Africa in the other semi-final on Sunday.

For France it will be the second consecutive time they have been involved in the bronze medals match losing heavily 40-13 to New Zealand in Sydney four years ago.

Team manager Jo Maso said there was no question of hosts France taking the match lightly in the wake of the traumatic loss to England.

"I think it's a great challenge to compete for third place especially as this time there will be a podium and medals at the end of it," he said.

"I remember that in 2003, the All Blacks were given their medals in the dressing-rooms."

"We will be going all out to win this match not just for the sake of our veterans nor to give match time to the eight players who played no part in the quarter- and semi-finals," added Laporte.

France XV (15-1)

Clement Poitrenaud; Aurelien Rougerie, David Skrela, Damien Traille, Christophe Dominici; Frederic Michalak, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde; Imanol Harinordoquy, Thierry Dusautoir, Yannick Nyanga; Jerome Thion, Lionel Nallet; Pieter De Villiers, Raphael Ibanez (capt), Jean-Baptiste Poux

Replacements: Sebastien Bruno, Nicolas Mas, Sebastien Chabal, Remy Martin, Pierre Mignoni, Lionel Beauxis, Vincent Clerc