Australian rugby audiences could be watching an under-strength France team in Test matches against the Wallabies later this year.

Australian rugby boss John O’Neill says the French line-up could be without several stars because the nation’s domestic competition was pushed back as a result of hosting the Rugby World Cup last year.

“France have a little bit of a problem which I’m sure will resolve itself,” O’Neill said.

“Because of the World Cup finishing late last year, their domestic competition finishes a bit later in June so they may be missing a handful of tier one players.”

The situation is sure to Test rugby’s core supporters in Sydney and Brisbane, where the Tests will be played on June 28 and July 5 respectively, after Wales and South Africa sent second string sides last year.

The Wallabies will also play Ireland in a one-off Test match on June 14 in Melbourne.

“Certainly Ireland will be sending a full strength team,” O’Neill told AAP.

“Under the IRB (International Rugby Board) regulations they’ve got to send the best available.

“I’m confident that both France and Ireland will be sending out best available teams.

“(We) have had very constructive conversations with all the northern hemisphere countries about ensuring that the IRB’s regulations relating to best available are enforced.”

Meanwhile, O’Neill said the ARU was close to finalising a fourth selector to work independently of new national coach Robbie Deans and his assistants Michael Foley and Jim Williams.

“Come the first of June, the selectors will be Robbie Deans and the two assistant coaches, namely Michael Foley and Jim Williams,” chief executive O’Neill said.

“Most likely there will be a fourth selector who will be an independent and we’re not in a position to disclose that name yet.

“We’ve got a couple of people we’re talking to.”

Deans had previously suggested Australia’s Super 14 coaches be a sounding board for selections, a notion unpopular with some of them.

“Until Robbie Deans comes into the role fulltime on the first of June the selections are being run by (high performance unit manager) Pat Howard and Michael Foley and they broadly consult with the Super 14 coaches as well,” O’Neill said.

Howard will quit his HPU post later this year but O’Neill said reports Blues and former Brumbies coach David Nucifora had already accepted the role were premature.

“David’s a candidate along with a couple of others,” O’Neill said.

“He’s a very good candidate and discussions are continuing with him but there’s no done deal.”

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2008 Wallabies Schedule.

© AAP 2012

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