World Cup finalists France are currently fifth in the world rankings, behind New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England, but the top four will be kept apart when the pools are drawn in London at the end of the year.

The autumn internationals will play a key role in determining whether France can move up the rankings with Australia, Argentina and Samoa their opponents in November.

France would also benefit if England – and their other European rivals – fail to collect victories over their southern hemisphere opponents this autumn.

But Saint-Andre is refusing to look beyond his side’s fixture list as France target a first win over Australia since 2004 as well a success over Rugby Championship new boys Argentina.

“These are three important tests,” said Saint-Andre. “Australia, who are a bit of a bete noire for France, and Argentina will be as well prepared as ever before because they will have been together for four month.

“We have the time to prepare well for the Australians and the Argentineans. We are fifth in the IRB rankings, just behind the English. The World Cup draw is December 3 and the target is to be a seed.

“Argentina are better than just a good side. They drew with South Africa recently when they deserved to win.

“Argentina will progress, they have prepared for the Four Nations as if it were the World Cup. That is our problem: our players do not have time for such a phase of development.

"After a month of holidays, they (Argentina) went straight into a series of friendly matches etc ... The Argentineans have adapted to international rugby in the professional era and in its organisation, they have overtaken France in that domain."