World Cup 2018 is now just a matter of days away and several major contenders have already landed in Russia after they completed their final warm-up matches.

But how are they shaping up? Which players are in form and will the head coaches be forced into any last-minute tactical tweaks?

Here, we review where France find themselves ahead of Saturday’s Group C-opener against Australia at Kazan Arena:

FRIENDLY RESULTS

Two wins out of three isn’t bad for France, but the fact their last fixture was a 1-1 draw against the United States has killed some momentum. Ireland were first seen off in an effortless 2-0 victory. Italy were then put to the sword on the Cote d’Azur with a 3-1 friendly, prior to Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe saving the day v the USA.

WHO IS IN FORM AND WHO IS IN A SLUMP?

An odd season for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has continued. The 25-year-old was booed when hooked against Italy, but seemingly retains boss Didier Deschamps’ faith. In the battle to start at right-back in Saturday’s Group C kick-off against Australia, Stuttgart’s Benjamin Pavard outshone injury struck Monaco star Djibril Siidibe.

TACTICAL TWEAKS

A regulation 4-3-3 formation from Deschamps has morphed into a 4-3-1-2. This allows Chelsea target man Olivier Giroud, Mbappe and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann to be played centrally. There is a battle in midfield between Juventus’ Blaise Matuidi and Bayern Munich’s Corentin Tolisso to slot in next to Pogba and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante.

BURNING QUESTION

France boast many of the globe’s greatest attackers. Yet they possess a boss who puts the handbrake on. This worked perfectly as a player during the wins at World Cup 1998 and Euro 200.0. But his gloriously gifted side should have swept to success at Euro 2016. Deschamps must learn to strike a balance between his instincts and necessity.