'I really wanted to step up': Tom Banks wants to own Wallabies No. 15 jersey

The ACT Brumbies star concedes he was below-par in Wallaby gold last year but he has earned another shot in Wednesday's opening Test against France in Brisbane.

Now Banks is determined to make the most of his chance with the two men he battled for the No. 15 jersey last year still on the sideline.

Dane Haylett-Petty replaced Banks during last year's Bledisloe Cup campaign but has not played a match since suffering a concussion while playing for the Wallabies in October.

Reece Hodge finished the year as Dave Rennie's No. 15 but he will miss the opening Test having spent much of the Super Rugby campaign out injured, with Banks primed to rise to the occasion.

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"After last year with all the Wallabies games, I probably didn't play to the level I wanted to and I really wanted to step up how I played at Super with the Brumbies," Banks said.

"It's been a really good building block coming back in here, I can take a lot of confidence from that.

"It's quite easy at the Brumbies when you've got good players around you.

"For me it was about taking a step back and remembering my strengths and what I can bring to the team, and having confidence doing it, and having fun doing it, that's when I play my best footy."

So you wonder if Banks was doubting his ability when he pulled on a gold jersey.

Perhaps there were moments of doubt, but the 27-year-old fullback says those concerns are gone as he returns to a back line boasting plenty of firepower.

"With the way we're playing this year, it's pretty exciting footy," Banks said.

"For us in the back line, it'll be a good way to play. The way we're trying to play as a back line will certainly help the outside backs.

"If you look individually at the players we have in the team, everyone brings a lot of X-factor which again is something that is really exciting to play and train with.

"As the weeks have gone on, you learn to read how people play and they complement you. It's going to make for an exciting game to watch."

The Wallabies have made their intentions clear leading into their first showdown with the French since 2016.

Rob Valetini has outlined an ambition to turn the Wallabies into the No. 1 Test team in the world.

Captain Michael Hooper wants to leave a legacy for the next generation - and that starts by winning trophies and restoring pride.

Australia has slipped to seventh in World Rugby's men's rankings, wedged between Wales and Scotland. The French are fifth leading into the three-Test series down under.

"Players have been talking about winning and that's what we want to do in here," Hooper said.

"We don't want to shy away from talking like that.

"We spoke about the mark we want to leave on Australian rugby and future generations of players, the guys who are 13 or 14, we'd love to see them seeing a winning team in this series."

WALLABIES V FRANCE

First Test: Wednesday - Australia v France at Lang Park. Broadcast live on Nine and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

Wallabies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Matt To'omua, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Isi Naisarani, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Len Ikitau, 23. Andrew Kellaway

France squad: 1. Jean-Baptise Gros, 2. Gaetan Barlot, 3. Demba Bamba, 4. Killian Geraci, 5. Romain Taofifenua, 6. Dylan Cretin, 7. Anthony Jelonch (c), 8. Sekou Macalou, 9. Baptise Couilloud, 10. Louis Carbonel, 11. Gabin Villiere, 12. Jonathan Danty, 13. Arthur Vincent, 14. Damian Penaud, 15. Melvyn Jaminet. Replacements: 16. Anthony Etrillard, 17. Quentin Walcker, 18. Sipili Falatea, 19. Florent Vanverberghe, 20. Baptiste Pesenti, 21. Cameron Woki, 22. Teddy Iribaren, 23. Anthony Bouthier

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